World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English Dictionarieshacer de segundón
Pronunciation / Transliteration: a-ser de se-gun-don
"Cansado de hacer de segundón, decidió renunciar."
Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
To play a subordinate, secondary, or supporting role to someone else in an organization, activity, or relationship.
"She refused to play second fiddle to anyone in the new department." - 2
To be treated as less important or influential than another person.
"He felt he was playing second fiddle to his younger brother in the family business."
Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Originating in the 19th century, this idiom draws from musical orchestras where the first violinist (concertmaster) plays the lead melody while the second violinist plays a supporting, subordinate accompaniment part. Over time, the phrase shifted from literal musical staging to a figurative expression denoting a subordinate or secondary social or professional role.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Play second fiddle"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Play second fiddle" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
jouer les seconds violons
Transliteration: zhwue le se-kon vyoh-lõ
"Il n'aime pas jouer les seconds violons dans ses projets."
die zweite Geige spielen
Transliteration: dee tsvy-te gyg-e spee-len
"Sie war nicht bereit, die zweite Geige zu spielen."
fare la seconda voce
Transliteration: fa-re la se-kon-da vo-che
"Non voglio fare la seconda voce a nessuno."
hacer de segundón
Transliteration: a-ser de se-gun-don
"Cansado de hacer de segundón, decidió renunciar."
fazer papel de coadjuvante
Transliteration: fa-zer pa-pel de ko-ad-ju-van-te
"Ele recusou-se a fazer papel de coadjuvante."
गौण भूमिका निभाना
Transliteration: gaun bhumika nibhana
"वह किसी के अधीन काम करने को तैयार नहीं था।"
居于次要地位
Transliteration: jū yú cì yào dì wèi
"他厌倦了在公司里居于次要地位。"
조연 역할을 하다
Transliteration: joyeon yeok-harel hada
"그는 더 이상 조연 역할에 머물고 싶지 않았다."
脇役を演じる
Transliteration: wakiyaku o enjiru
"彼女はチームで脇役でいることに満足していなかった。"
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