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
But this fake overlay simply obscures the app as it is being attacked in the background.
—
Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
Lingering in the background is the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia.
—Carrie Johnson, NPR, 8 July 2025
That said, the team isn't going to achieve its goals if this situation is still lingering in the background.
—Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 July 2025
As Lee talked, the sounds of hammers on stone echoed in the background.
—Thessaly La Force, Travel + Leisure, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for in the background
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
Lingering in the background is the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia.
—Carrie Johnson, NPR, 8 July 2025
That said, the team isn't going to achieve its goals if this situation is still lingering in the background.
—Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 July 2025
As Lee talked, the sounds of hammers on stone echoed in the background.
—Thessaly La Force, Travel + Leisure, 4 July 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 21 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share