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Examples of second fiddle in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
She’s given a grim prognosis but refuses to disclose her dementia to her loyal assistant (Kathy Bates) and daughter (Lily Rabe), who has always played second fiddle to Lillian’s career.
—Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 22 May 2024
The Guard members — as well as State and MTA Police officers — are playing second fiddle to the NYPD, which remains in charge of subway security, transit officials said.
—Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 9 Mar. 2024
Being one of the world’s most famous video-game characters and simultaneously one of the world’s most famous sidekicks makes Luigi a fascinating role for Driver to tackle, larger than life and second fiddle all at once.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 5 Jan. 2024
Increasingly assertive regional powers no longer want to play second fiddle to Washington.
—Dalia Dassa Kaye, Foreign Affairs, 17 Aug. 2023
See all Example Sentences for second fiddle
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'second fiddle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1809, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near second fiddle
Cite this Entry
“Second fiddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/second%20fiddle. Accessed 14 Jul. 2024.
Kids Definition
second fiddle
noun
: a person who fills a secondary role
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