playing second fiddle

A form of play second fiddle — To play a subsidiary or subordinate role to someone or something else.

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Meanings

verb
  1. gerundparticiplepresentpresent participle and gerund of play second fiddle
Cite this entry
APA

playing second fiddle. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/playing%20second%20fiddle

MLA

“playing second fiddle.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/playing%20second%20fiddle. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “playing second fiddle,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/playing%20second%20fiddle.

Source: playing second fiddle on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.