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Meanings of second fiddle in English

Someone who serves in a subordinate capacity or plays a secondary role.

Usage of second fiddle in English
1
Playing second fiddle, the EU and the UN can stamp and shout.
The Guardian
2
Yes, but we determined that these will play second fiddle to climbing.
Climbing Magazine
3
Communion playing second fiddle to the civil rights movement and urban renewal.
Salem’s Lot
4
The young assistant district attorney lounging by the table played second fiddle.
Tangled Trails: A Western Detective Story
5
Their interplay was commendable even though they were always playing second fiddle.
The Irish Times
6
The first lady may be through playing second fiddle to her husband.
Wired
7
When he allows himself to play second fiddle, he is a fool!
Ziska: The Problem of a Wicked Soul
8
Vice presidential candidates, of course, are required to play second fiddle.
Reuters
9
Which was good, because I didn't want to play second fiddle to him.
Gentlemen prefer succubi
10
But New York has struggled to find a reliable second fiddle.
Reuters
11
Yes; no one can excel him; he never plays second fiddle to anybody.
The Bobbin Boy; or, How Nat Got His learning
12
Meat or fish in the centre, with vegetables playing second fiddle.
The Irish Times
13
Apple slices often play second fiddle to apple pies and crumbles.
The Irish Times
14
Shelbourne once more played second fiddle to arch-rivals St Patrick's Athletic last night.
The Irish Times
15
At first, it played second fiddle to the classical statues found alongside it.
Wired
16
I've already won it and it plays second fiddle to the Champions League.
The Guardian
This collocation consists of:
Second fiddle through the time
Second fiddle across language varieties
Ireland
Common
United States of America
Less common
United Kingdom
Less common