play first fiddle
To play a leading role.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“She always wants to play first fiddle in every project.”
“In this new company, he is tired of being an assistant and wants to play first fiddle for once.”
“Although he was the most experienced member of the team, he was content to let his younger colleague play first fiddle during the high-stakes presentation.”
From the role of the lead violinist in an orchestra, who typically performs the melodic lines and most demanding solos. In the hierarchy of a musical ensemble, the first fiddle maintains prominence over the second.
- 01
blink first
To be the first party in some situation to give in or back down.
- 02
cast the first stone
To act self-righteously in accusing another person, believing oneself to be blameless.
- 03
child's play
Something particularly easy or simple.
- 04
come first
To win first place in a competition.
- 05
director of first impressions
A receptionist.
- 06
feet first
In the manner of a deceased person (i.e., dead).
- 07
fiddle while Rome burns
To busy yourself with trivia while a disaster you could be addressing unfolds.
- 08
first among equals
A person or position that is formally of equal rank to others in a group, but nonetheless takes a leading role within that group.
Last updated August 10, 2026