
noun
- a seat at the rear.
- take a backseat, to occupy a secondary or inferior position: Her writing has taken a backseat because of other demands on her time.
noun
- a seat at the back, esp of a vehicle
- informal a subordinate or inconspicuous position (esp in the phrase take a back seat)
also back-seat, 1832, originally of coaches, from back (adj.) + seat (n.). Used figuratively for “less or least prominent position” by 1868. Back-seat driver first attested 1926.