lost in the background

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lost in the background" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something or someone that is not easily noticeable or is overshadowed by other elements in a scene or situation. Example: "In the crowded marketplace, the musician played beautifully, but his talent was lost in the background of the bustling crowd."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

What makes Hamilton's invisibility all the more remarkable, is that, paradoxically, he was larger than life, anything but a reticent figure lost in the background.

The New York Times

Behind him was a portrait of Mr Khan with the Afghan president, Hamid Karzai, lost in the background: a reminder that Kabul is a four-day drive away on bandit-infested roads.Still, Mr Jalali plunged in.

The Economist

On further increasing the pH the signal became lost in the background noise.

Chemistry Central Journal

The A4 is a nice piece of hardware, don't get me wrong — but there's more to a device than its processor, and it seems like a lot of the other stuff gets lost in the background when the spotlight shines on a single aspect.

TechCrunch

Cons: Kind of gets lost in the background around his showy friends.

Huffington Post

That, without the knowledge of the past, monumental events become lost in the background or, worse yet, forgotten completely.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Hours of Arthur Lyman-stylexoticacandnd slack-key guitar music get lost in the background--as with drinks, generously mix in music that will make the guests happy.

Huffington Post

We found that bar expression from the allele at Tel VIIL was lost in the hpo+ background.

Epigenetics and Chromatin

"Therefore," she explains, "whatever excess events there are due to temperature can get lost in the general background level".

Environmental Health Perspectives

Navigating beyond the first screen, though, is pure Blair Witch Project; you're guaranteed to feel lost in the woods, black background and all.

Forbes

Our study revealed that deleting MHR1 had a very drastic effect on mt genome maintenance, as large regions of mitochondrial DNA were lost in the mutant diploid background during mating.

Genetics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lost in the background" to describe a detail in a story, ensure that the background itself is well-defined to create a strong contrast, making the detail's insignificance more impactful.

Common error

Avoid using "lost in the background" when you actually mean something is simply not present. The phrase implies existence but lack of prominence, not complete absence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lost in the background" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, indicating the state of being unnoticed or overshadowed. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lost in the background" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed prepositional phrase, primarily utilized to depict a state of being unnoticed or lacking prominence. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and seamlessly integrates into various writing styles. Its prevalence is especially noted in contexts such as News & Media and Science. When employing this phrase, consider the setting to enhance the contrast and ensure it appropriately signifies existence without prominence, not complete absence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unnoticed in the setting

Focuses on the lack of attention within a specific environment.

obscured by the backdrop

Highlights the act of being hidden or overshadowed by something else.

hidden in plain sight

Emphasizes that something is present but not easily recognized.

submerged in the environment

Suggests a complete lack of distinction from the surrounding context.

dwarfed by the situation

Highlights the diminishment of importance compared to surrounding events.

overshadowed by events

Focuses on how surrounding events make something less significant.

faded into insignificance

Implies a gradual loss of importance or prominence.

dissolved into obscurity

Suggests a complete disappearance or loss of recognition.

vanished amidst the chaos

Highlights how something disappears due to surrounding disorder.

buried under the weight

Illustrates the concept of something being overwhelmed and therefore unnoticed.

FAQs

How can I use "lost in the background" in a sentence?

You can use "lost in the background" to describe something unnoticed or overshadowed. For instance, "The subtle nuances of the performance were "lost in the background" of the loud party".

What is a good alternative to "lost in the background"?

Alternatives include "unnoticed in the setting", "obscured by the backdrop", or "hidden in plain sight", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "lost in the background" or "hidden in the background"?

"Lost in the background" implies something is present but not noticeable, while "hidden in the background" suggests a deliberate attempt to conceal something. Choose the phrase that best fits the context.

What's the difference between "lost in the background" and "faded into the scenery"?

"Lost in the background" suggests a lack of prominence amidst other elements, whereas "faded into the scenery" implies a gradual disappearance or blending in with the surroundings over time.