background

in the background

In a (literal or figurative) place where someone or something is not very noticeable. I'm not the best dancer, so the director has put me in the background for most scenes. The more new people get hired, the more I feel ignored and lost in the background!
See also: background

into the background

Into a (literal or figurative) place where someone or something is not very noticeable. I'm going to move all of our less-experienced dancers into the background for this scene. The more new people get hired, the more I get pushed into the background and ignored!
See also: background

merge into the background

To act or position oneself in such a way as not to be very noticeable to others. Not feeling comfortable as the center of attention, I prompted someone else to start talking and then merged into the background.
See also: background, merge

on background

Of information used in a news story, allowed to be published but only on conditions negotiated by the source, typically resulting in anonymity. The presidential aide agreed to give a statement to reporters on background.
See also: background, on

on deep background

Of information used in a news story, allowed to be published but without any attribution or mention of the source whatsoever. The government official would only reveal the truth of the scandal on deep background, which unfortunately meant my story would be forever disputed and discredited by members of the administration.
See also: background, deep, on
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

merge into the ˈbackground

(of a person) behave quietly when you are with a group of people so that they do not notice you: Nick didn’t say anything during the meeting, and it was obvious that he was desperately trying to merge into the background.
See also: background, merge
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

on background

For publication but without specific attribution of the source: The senator would only speak on background with the reporter about the crisis.
See also: background, on

on deep background

For publication without any attribution of the source.
See also: background, deep, on
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • be like ships in the night
  • hope not
  • (I) hope not
  • not for a second
  • not for a minute
  • not for a moment
  • aint
  • ain't
  • not for a instant
  • not for a/one minute/moment/second/instant
References in periodicals archive
'Nadra started issuing CNICs with photographs with white background a few years ago,' said a spokesman for the authority when asked about the move to resolve the problem being faced by passport seekers in Karachi.
New passports being denied to applicants having CNIC photos in blue background
Suppose that the investor faces a second risk [??], a so-called "background risk" for which there is no market available for trading and/or hedging.
RISK-TAKING-NEUTRAL BACKGROUND RISKS
Giles commented, "Having used NetForce Global for years as the most trusted source of global backgrounds, I have a deep respect for the employees and the company ethic.
Netforce Global Appoints Fred Giles as Company President
Future plans include further optimizing background tab behavior in Chrome until they reach the goal of complete background tab suspension by 2020.
Chrome 57 update to cap background tabs at 1% CPU usage
In this section, some background subtraction methods will be introduced, which are divided into parametric and nonparametric models.
Moving Object Detection for Dynamic Background Scenes Based on Spatiotemporal Model
But to restore recipient's genetic background completely, all the markers dispersing through genome are needed, this increasing the cost, in practical breeding, the genetic background of recipient need not restore entirely, but some certain background traits need restore, the markers closely linked with QTLs related to these traits and the phenotypic information can be used to make MBLUP background selection so that the genetic background could restore.
STUDY ON FACTORS AFFECTING THE EFFICIENCY OF MARKER-ASSISTED INTROGRESSION
Armslist.com allows gun sellers to place ads that state, "No background check.
Loaded question
Read the new background check requirements at www.appraisalfoundation.
Flex checks: AQB adopts new state background check requirements
Before giving the quantitative description, we define the local background area of target as stated in [4] and [6] as: assume that MR is the bounding rectangle of the target T, and TR is the rectangle containing T whose area is twice of the area of MR.
Criterion to evaluate the quality of infrared target images based on scene features
* Some critics of background checks worry about the potential negative impact on otherwise qualified applicants with criminal pasts.
"Criminal background checks on prospects: do you believe in them? do you require them? why or why not?"
He (http://www.ibtimes.com/manchin-nra-lied-about-background-checks-bill-1198559) accused the NRA of lying A by saying the proposed background checks bill would criminalize private transfers of firearms.
Background Checks Bill Rejected By Senate 54 To 46
American Screening Company (ASC), a new background check business, opened Aug.
American Screening Company opens on King Street
The Texas Board of Nursing (BON) was awarded a $50,000.00 grant from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) for criminal background screening of new nursing students to take place when students are first enrolled or are planning to enroll in approved Texas nursing educational programs.
BON receives grant for criminal background screening of new nursing students
Arthur August Jansson (1890-1960) served as a background painter for dioramas in AMNH's Hall of Asian Mammals, the Akeley Hall of African Mammals, and the Birds of the World hall.
Diorama diversity