bench warmers
Players awaiting play
Bench warmers are players who spend most of their time sitting on the bench rather than playing in the game.
The term implies someone who made the team but rarely sees action: He was a bench warmer all through high school.
By extension, anyone present but not actively participating: Most of us were just bench warmers at that meeting.
- reservistPart-time military member
- practice squadReserve training roster
- scout teamUnit simulating opponents
- athleticsCompetitive physical activities
- sidelinedRemoved from participation
third string · substitute · backup · alternate · wallflowers · understudy · insecurity · frustration · riding the pine · redshirts · self-doubt · relief · waiting in the wings · spectators · spare · second-stringer · outsiders · exclusion
- substitutessubstitute, subs, replacement, substitutes, stand-in
- slackersslackers, loafers, idlers, idler, layabouts
- hockeypuck, hockey, ice hockey, pucks, field hockey
- inactive status
- transfer targets
bench warmersstarters
Things that initiate
starting lineup · first string · regulars · starting five · key players
bench warmersstars
Luminous celestial bodies
superstars · MVPs · franchise players · team captains · marquee players
bench, warmer, benches, benched, benching, warm, warms, warmed, warming