Take a back seat

Note: This is not a word-for-word transcript.

Feifei Hello, it’s Feifei and Rob here with today’s The English We Speak.

Rob Feifei, keep your eyes on the road! Look where you’re going.

Feifei OK, OK! Rob is making me drive around while we present today’s programme. Rob, why exactly am I driving my car?

Rob Well, I really wanted you to understand the phrase we’re going to learn today. But I’m going to leave it all to you.

Feifei So what are you going to do then?

Rob Oh nothing. I’m just going to a take a back seat today. You carry on, I’ll just watch.

Feifei Take a back seat? Hmmm - so you’re going to let me take control - do all the work - while you sit there and watch?

Rob Yes - look, I’m just sitting here - on the back seat

Feifei Oh I get it! ‘To take a back seat’ is an idiom that means to give up control and let someone else take responsibility.

Rob That’s it Feifei. Let’s hear from some other people who are ‘taking a back seat’…

Examples Mary was happy to take a back seat and let Jim run the meeting.

I’m going to take a back seat this year and let you decide where we go on holiday.

Now he’s getting older he’s decided to take a back seat in running the company.

Feifei So, to take a backseat means to choose not to take control and let someone else be in charge. Rob, does this mean you’re just being lazy?

Rob Of course not, Feifei. It just means I’m letting you have a turn at being in charge - I trust you - although… What are you doing?!

Feifei Letting you take the back seat while I show you how to really drive!

Rob Feifei! Watch out for that roundabout… and that traffic light… aren’t you driving a bit fast?

Feifei Rob - don’t be such a back seat driver!

Rob A what?

Feifei A back seat driver - someone who offers unwanted advice - someone who tells the driver how to drive. But we’ll leave that expression for another day!

Rob OK OK - but you are going really fast - can I take the front seat now?

Feifei Stay where you are!

Both Bye.