Question

Take a Backseat to be in an inferior position; to take second place to another person who is in control

Accepted Answer

When it comes to pottery, I take a backseat to Shelly. She's a whiz. This idiom became popular in the United States in the middle 1880s. It comes from being in the back seat of a vehicle. When you're in the driver's seat, you're the boss, and in control. When you're in the back seat, you're in a secondary position. It's like "playing second fiddle" (see page 147).

Idiom	Take a Backseat
Example	When it comes to pottery, I take a backseat to Shelly. She's a whiz.
Meaning	to be in an inferior position; to take second place to another person who is in control
Origin	This idiom became popular in the United States in the middle 1880s. It comes from being in the back seat of a vehicle. When you're in the driver's seat, you're the boss, and in control. When you're in the back seat, you're in a secondary position. It's like "playing second fiddle" (see page 147).

Backseat Back Seat Pottery I Shelly She's Whiz