backseat
UK: ˈbæk.siːt | US: ˈbæk.siːt
n. 1. A seat at the back of a vehicle, especially a car.
n. 2. (figurative) A position of secondary importance or passive observation.
The word "backseat" is a straightforward compound of "back" (Old English bæc, meaning "rear") and "seat" (Old English sete, from Proto-Germanic sētiją, meaning "place to sit"). It emerged in the early 19th century to describe the rear seating area in carriages, later adapted to automobiles. The figurative sense of "secondary role" (e.g., "take a backseat") arose in the mid-20th century, metaphorically extending the idea of being physically behind the primary actor (the driver).
The children argued over who would get the backseat on the road trip.
As a junior member, she took a backseat during the high-stakes negotiation.
The backseat of the car was cluttered with groceries and backpacks.
He prefers the backseat because he gets carsick in the front.
In this project, marketing will take a backseat to product development.