# second banana

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/second-banana
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A comedian who plays a secondary or supporting role, especially as straight man and traditionally in vaudeville or burlesque theatre.

## Examples

- He is tired of always being the second banana.
- The lead actor was brilliant, but his partner played the second banana perfectly to keep the audience laughing.
- Although he possessed immense talent, he spent his entire career as a second banana, forever supporting the stars who claimed the spotlight.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.