[General] relegate to the background

[vil]

Dear teachers,

Would you be kind enough to tell me whether I am right with my interpretation of the expression in bold in the following sentence?

“We’re investigating a murder,” the judge reprimanded. “Your personal feelings are to be relegated to the background, sir. You’re a witness”.

relegate to the background = drive/ push/ throw/ thrust/ put into the background

Thanks for your efforts.

Regards,

V

 

[shroob]

Not a teacher only a native.

Your interpretation is somewhat right, it means to ignore something or not take into account. In this case it is the personal feelings of the witness, which may interfere with a case, so they should do their best to ignore them to focus on the facts. In your example the witness may be bias if they allow personal feelings to get involved.