second banana

Related to second banana: second fiddle

second banana

1. A performer who acts as a support to a lead comedian (the so-called "top banana"), as during a burlesque or vaudeville routine. I generally don't mind playing second banana when I'm with such a legendary comedian, but it would be nice to be the one getting all the laughs once in a while.
2. By extension, someone who occupies a secondary, lesser, or subservient role or position. I've been second banana in this company for too long now. I'm going to start up my own business, and then I'll be the one in charge!
See also: banana, second
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

second banana

see under top banana.
See also: banana, second
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

second banana

mainly AMERICAN, INFORMAL
1. If you call something or someone second banana you mean they are the next most important or popular person or thing after the most important or popular person or thing. While hockey is king in Canada, the sport has to play second banana south of the border to Major League Baseball.
2. A second banana is a performer who performs with someone else who has a bigger part in the performance. Carney returned to radio as second banana on comedy shows. Compare with play second fiddle.
See also: banana, second
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

second banana

the second most important person in an organization or activity. informal, chiefly North American
See also: banana, second
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • top banana/dog
  • stooge
  • lead with
  • hiss
  • hiss (someone) off (the stage)
  • hiss off
  • a banana hammock
  • banana
  • banana hammock
  • hammock
References in periodicals archive
Coach Bill (Will Patton) is shattered when he's forced to become second banana to the pioneer school's new black coach Herman Boone (Denzel Washington).
In the chat show role of second banana, Michael acts as saboteur, even ganging up with Paxman to point out Jack's failings as an interviewer, as a student and as a son, generally.
Continue with the second banana, point, say "two" and lift it to the left toward the first counted banana.
Musical numbers: "Clandango," "Let's Not Talk About Anything Else but Love," "Pulled," "Passionate and True," "One Normal Night," "Let's Not Talk About Anything Else but Love 2," "At Seven," "What If," "Full Disclosure," "Waiting," "Full Disclosure (Part 2)," "Second Banana," "Happy/Sad," "Crazier Than You," "The Moon and Me," "Let's Not Talk About Anything Else but Love 3," "Teach Me How to Tango," "The Swordfight/Tango," "In the Arms," "Move Toward the Darkness."
After his TV series ("King of Queens") and playing second banana to Will Smith in "Hitch" and Sandler
A natural second banana, Korman gained attention on "The Danny Kaye Show," appearing in skits with the star.
"He was second banana. The kids would come to him, and say 'Where's BA?' He kept on running in to Mr T," he recalls, guffawing.
Blunt has the second banana role in that Norah goes along for the ride that her sister prescribes, but she's a good comic foil in her scenes with Adams and comes more into her own in interludes with other characters.
Another friend said: "Call Tom green with envy.He found out quickly that he was always going to be second banana to Drew.