to play second fiddle

Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.

is to take an inferior part in any project or undertaking. A metaphor borrowed from a musical performer who plays the second or counter to the one who plays the first or the "air."


On the question of removing the seat of government from Kingston to Montreal, the population of which is chiefly French, a paper in the former city observes that--

We had rather become a portion of the United States, much as we detest that government, and rank with the Western States of Michigan and Iowa, than play second fiddle to the French.

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