in the background
idiom
: in a position that avoids attracting attention
He was a shy man who always tried to keep/stay in the background.
Examples of in the background in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Fabio Paratici — the former managing director of football — is lurking in the background.
—
Jay Harris, New York Times, 13 June 2025
What appears to be the sound of handcuffs is audible in the background.
—Julia Moore, People.com, 13 June 2025
Three years ago, Sanjay Krishnamurthi was high in the terraces of the iconic Coliseum amid a rabid Athletics fanbase soaking in MLB action with the stunning Oakland Hills in the background.
—Tristan Lavalette, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
Once configured, however, the software runs quietly in the background and rarely demands attention.
—PC Magazine, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for in the background
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Jay Harris, New York Times, 13 June 2025
What appears to be the sound of handcuffs is audible in the background.
—Julia Moore, People.com, 13 June 2025
Three years ago, Sanjay Krishnamurthi was high in the terraces of the iconic Coliseum amid a rabid Athletics fanbase soaking in MLB action with the stunning Oakland Hills in the background.
—Tristan Lavalette, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
Once configured, however, the software runs quietly in the background and rarely demands attention.
—PC Magazine, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for in the background
Cite this Entry
“In the background.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20the%20background. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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