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
As Rissa emerged from the chapel and began to walk down the aisle during the ceremony, a harpist and choir sang softly in the background, adding to the already emotional atmosphere.
—
Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
In the footage, alarms can be heard going off in the background.
—Lilia Geho, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2025
This novel of obsession, with the AIDS epidemic in the background, but where AIDS is never mentioned, a passionate book about people and the city in all its innocence and desperation.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
Rebecca Minkoff was on the balcony taking photos, the promenade and theater in the background.
—Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for in the background
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Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
In the footage, alarms can be heard going off in the background.
—Lilia Geho, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2025
This novel of obsession, with the AIDS epidemic in the background, but where AIDS is never mentioned, a passionate book about people and the city in all its innocence and desperation.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
Rebecca Minkoff was on the balcony taking photos, the promenade and theater in the background.
—Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 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 29 Oct. 2025.
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