bit player

noun

1. an actor having a very small speaking part in a play, motion picture, etc.

Word History and Origins

Origin of bit player¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

The university had always been a bit player in the stadium discussion.

From Voice of San Diego

But he acted more like a bit player in an Austin Powers movie.

From The Daily Beast

For all its anguishing, the Court is actually a bit-player here.

From The Daily Beast

Yahoo is still basically a bit player in search, with only 11.4 percent of the market.

From The Daily Beast

But massive paradigm shifts have rendered the NYSE a bit player.

From The Daily Beast

As an extra and a bit player he appeared in at least 70 movies from 1931 to 1950.

From The Daily Beast

The bit-player in the robot suit was clearly as mad as a hatter.

From Project Gutenberg