Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. You deserve a higher position in the company! Examples of 'to play second fiddle' in a sentence to play second fiddle. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free! This is the British English definition of play second fiddle to someone.View American English definition of play second fiddle to someone.. Change your default dictionary to American English. play second fiddle Assume a subsidiary role to someone, as in Mary resented always playing second fiddle to her older sister. Drag the correct word or words into the gap to complete the idiom in each sentence. Question: 1. What made you want to look up play? WHISTLE FOR IT games. Accessed 21 Dec. 2020. 'All Intensive Purposes' or 'All Intents and Purposes'? before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a, before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a, Middle English, from Old English plega; akin to Old English plegan to play, Middle Dutch pleyen. After the star guest didn’t turn up, John was chosen to play second fiddle. He was never more than a B-movie actor, playing, 27. 'Play second fiddle' derives from the orchestral role of Second Violin. Learn more. The opposition Movement for Democratic Change is rightly refusing to be tricked into playing. ball. phrase If you play second fiddle to someone, your position is less important than theirs in something that you are doing together. Score: 0 / his cards right. Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way. with fire. ~ Annemarie Have a great week! He had been a reluctant ally and may well have resented playing, 29. This term alludes to the part of second violin in an orchestra. (To) Play Second Fiddle idiom Archive (To) Play Second Fiddle. play second fiddle definition: 1. to be less important or in a weaker position than someone else: 2. to be less important or in a…. He's making a quiz, and checking it twice... Test your knowledge of the words of the year. played cards just for fun jest implies lack of earnestness and may suggest a hoaxing or teasing. Each sentence below contains an idiom with play. Play second fiddle: To be less important. made game of their poor relations play stresses the opposition to earnest without implying any malice or mischief. You’re much more experienced than he is, I don’t understand why you continue to play second fiddle. To play second fiddle. The locals were not satisfied playing, 20. Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible). 'Nip it in the butt' or 'Nip it in the bud'. Similar words: second fiddle, twenty-second, fiddle, fiddler, fiddle with, fiddler crab, fiddlesticks, fit as a fiddle. The chairman of the corporation plays a second fiddle to the minister. This idiom comes from the assumption of the second violin in an orchestra as playing less important role than the first one. To play second fiddle definition: If you play second fiddle to someone, your position is less important than theirs in... | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples ... phrase. 0. Synonym Discussion of play. Then share your examples below. Delivered to your inbox! Another word for second fiddle. This person leads the group of second violins (fiddles) who play a supportive role musically to the first violins which usually play the melody. Mr Pozsgay was simply fed up with playing, 13. Sentences Menu. fiddle example sentences. Synonyms for play second fiddle include obey, follow, observe, comply with, mind, abide by, accept, adhere to, keep and submit. Play first fiddle was used as an idiom even earlier, but it is no longer in common use. This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Most people chose this as the best definition of play-second-fiddle: (idiomatic, intransitive)... See the dictionary meaning, pronunciation, and sentence examples. It's because everyone wants to play the 1st violin, but very few to play second fiddle! Welcome User . Example sentences with the word second-fiddle. To 'play second fiddle' is to take a subordinate position to another person. Language that lives on after the curtain comes down. Definition: To play a subordinate role to someone For … Recent Idioms. Random good picture Not show (1) I'm not going to play second fiddle to anyone. What's the origin of the phrase 'Play second fiddle'? Definition and synonyms of play second fiddle to someone from the online English dictionary from Macmillan Education.. figurative (be considered less important) jouer les seconds couteaux vtr verbe transitif: verbe qui s'utilise avec un complément d'objet direct (COD). See full dictionary entry for fiddle ‘She no longer has to play second fiddle to her husband, and more importantly, is free to wear high heels once again.’ ‘After a year of shooting and research, this powerful documentary exposes the greasy facts: Canadian democracy plays second fiddle to the tune of big-money, mega-farm hog exports.’ 0. play second fiddle to [sb] v expr verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end." Home Knowledge Idioms and Phrases To play a second fiddle. This is used to describe the person who takes a subordinate role behind someone more important. The definition of Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary for it is: "to be treated as less important than sb/sth" and "to have a less important position than sb/sth else". 2. How to use fiddle in a sentence. How to use play in a sentence. Play definition is - swordplay. Jessica really put her foot in her mouth when she asked about John’s job right after he lost it. play second fiddle translations: 居于次要地位. A. n. 1. Ex : "J'écris une lettre". 8. I’d love to have you try using some of these idioms! fast and loose. These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'play.' Ask questions on Justlearn to speak a language. The idiom play second fiddle first appeared in the early 1800s and its popularity peaked during the mid-1900s. Define as fit as a fiddle. an inferior position (see also play second fiddle) Get a second fiddle mug for your dog Riley. Definition: To play a subordinate role to someone. a person serving in a subsidiary capacity, especially to one immediately superior. Read answers to learn more. Choose 2 or 3 of your favorite words from this list and create your own examples. Login emoji_events Play Contest; ... To play a second fiddle. Join our community of language learners to get started. JOHN OBI MIKEL insists he will not play. Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words? 0. as fit as a fiddle synonyms, as fit as a fiddle pronunciation, as fit as a fiddle translation, English dictionary definition of as fit as a fiddle. SEE SYNONYMS FOR play second fiddle ON THESAURUS.COM To play a supporting or minor role in relation to someone else: “Tired of playing second fiddle, she resigned and started her own company.” … Any Minute Now; … 26. Four possible meanings of the idiom are given. How to use second-fiddle in a sentence. Fiddle is a less formal word for violin. And now it’s your turn! Second fiddle definition is - one that plays a supporting or subservient role. Send us feedback. Sentencedict.com is a online sentence dictionary, on which you can find nice sentences for a large number of words. I hate playing second fiddle to my sister; she always does things better than I do! Martha is always in her sister’s shadow, playing second fiddle to her every time. play second fiddle. In the following question, a sentence is given with an idiom (underlined). His family has had to play second fiddle to his political career. Put your foot in your mouth: Saying something you shouldn’t have. into their hands. PLAY SECOND FIDDLE. Learn more in the Cambridge English-Chinese simplified Dictionary. Learn a new word every day. "When Charles became chairman of the family business, his brother declared that he would rather leave than play second fiddle to him. Music October 18, 2015 • No Comments • What does the idiom “(To) Play Second Fiddle” mean? For example: “I thought I’d have more responsibility in my new job, but I’m just playing second fiddle to Victoria.” a secondary role: to play second fiddle to another person. second-fiddle example sentences. Example sentences with the word fiddle. Menu Next exercise . search more_vert. What does the idiom “(To) Play Second Fiddle” mean? The idiom play third fiddle, suggesting an even lesser role, although not as widespread as play second fiddle, is … Search. 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Hello friends from UsingEnglish.com I came across this idiom today "to play second fiddle to sb/sth". 0. pretended to strangle his brother in play. If you play second fiddle to someone, you accept to be second in importance to that person, or have a lower position. search. To extend a helping hand; B. Be sure to create sentences you can use in your real English life (this will help you remember them!). It needs more skill than I can tell to play the, 30. 22. Home; Knowledge; Idioms and Phrases; To play a second fiddle; more_vert. Find more similar words at wordhippo.com! "; second a motion Throughout her married life she had to play, 10. She hated the thought of playing second fiddle to Rose. fun usually implies laughter or gaiety but may imply merely a lack of serious or ulterior purpose. Find more ways to say second fiddle, along with related words, antonyms and example phrases at Thesaurus.com, the world's most trusted free thesaurus. Related phrases are plays second fiddle, played second fiddle, playing second fiddle. To play a … fun, jest, sport, game, play mean action or speech that provides amusement or arouses laughter. Copyright © 2016 sentencedict.com All Rights Reserved Contact: Meaning: n. 1. someone who serves in a subordinate capacity or plays a secondary role 2. a secondary role or function. She might also have simply got tired of playing, 28. ADD YOUR INSTITUTE. Out of four alternatives given for idioms/phrases underlined in the following sentences, choose one which expresses the meaning of the idiom/phrase. Example Sentences Sheila was determined to be the star of the show and she was not going to play second fiddle to anyone. Identify the correct meaning and mark the correct choice. Idiom : To play a second fiddle , meaning and usage. second fiddle. Here Rushdie uses the idiom "play second fiddle" to describe the plight of Catharine as being less important to her husband than his long-time mistress. hurt by remarks said only in jest sport applies especially to the arousing of laughter against someone. it safe. English Language Learners Definition of play (Entry 2 of 2), See the full definition for play in the English Language Learners Dictionary, Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for play, Nglish: Translation of play for Spanish Speakers, Britannica English: Translation of play for Arabic Speakers, Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about play. close. teasing begun in sport led to anger game is close to sport, and often stresses mischievous or malicious fun. It's because everyone wants to play the 1st violin, but very few to play second fiddle! 20. Pull yourself together: Calm down and behave normally. Second fiddle in a sentence 1. 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