To play second fiddle to sb/sth
Hello friends from UsingEnglish.com
I came across this idiom today "to play second fiddle to sb/sth". The definition of Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary for it is: "to be treated as less important than sb/sth" and "to have a less important position than sb/sth else". I could understand those definitions quite well, however I came across that idiom in the following sentence which I couldn't figure out exactly what it means in it: "After a lifetime of playing second fiddle to the requirements of other people, you will now nurture your heartfelt needs."
Could you guys please tell me what that idiom really means in the sentence above?
Thanks in advance!
Chico
Re: To play second fiddle to sb/sth
Context would help. Was this written by a (self-proclaimed) astrologer?
Re: To play second fiddle to sb/sth
Quote:
Originally Posted by
5jj 
Context would help. Was this written by a (self-proclaimed) astrologer?
Yes, sir. It was written by a Canadian astrologer. Very famous all across North America by the way.
Re: To play second fiddle to sb/sth
(Not a Teacher)
Here's an alternative way to phrase it:
"After a lifetime of putting other people's needs first, it is time to focus on your own.
Are things starting to make sense?
Re: To play second fiddle to sb/sth
Quote:
Originally Posted by
SlickVic9000 (Not a Teacher)
Here's an alternative way to phrase it:
"After a lifetime of putting other people's needs first, it is time to focus on your own.
Are things starting to make sense?
Yes... thank you for your help. I really appreciated it ^^
Re: To play second fiddle to sb/sth
With some difficulty, I will refrain from asking whether it is possible for anything written by an 'astrologer' to convey real meaning. ;-)
However, SlickVic is absolutely right as far as the words are concerned.
Re: To play second fiddle to sb/sth
Quote:
Originally Posted by
5jj With some difficulty, I will refrain from asking whether it is possible for anything written by an 'astrologer' to convey real meaning. ;-)
However, SlickVic is absolutely right as far as the words are concerned.
Thank you 5jj!!! Although I should admit that I believe in astrology to a certain extent lol, my chief intention here when asking you guys for help in figuring out what that idiom meant in that sentence was exclusively to broaden my understanding of idioms.:-) I'd already understood my daily horoscope forecast by analysing the context of it all:roll:. And last but not least, I am still to find another place on the web where I could get better help to improve my English skills. Just love this web site. Keep on doing this wonderful job guys!!! Cheers ^^
