benching
Not letting play
Benching is keeping someone on the sidelines—available but not actively in play.
In dating, it means maintaining casual contact with a romantic interest without committing: He's been benching me for months—texts occasionally but never makes real plans.
In sports and fitness, benching refers to sitting a player out or performing the bench press exercise: I've been benching 200 pounds lately.
Secondary business pursuit
- substitutionExchange of one for another
- reservesResources held back
- depth chartPlayer priority list by position
- rotationTurning on an axis
second-string · coach · roster · resting · lineup · squad · backup · inactive
Abruptly ceasing all communication
- breadcrumbingInconsistent romantic teasing
- situationshipUndefined romantic involvement
- stringing alongProlonged romantic deception
- mixed signalsContradictory indications from someone
rejection · dating apps · swiping · texting · noncommittal · uncertainty · ambiguity · exclusivity
Weighted exercise apparatus
- dumbbellsHandheld lifting weights
- chestRibcage region or strongbox
- spotterSafety backup person
- power rackBarbell exercise safety structure
pectorals · reps · sets · lockout · arch · chest day · pressing · lifting
Removing from participation
- demotionReduction in status
- reassignmentShifting to new duties
- underutilizedInsufficiently put to work
- passed overBypassed for selection
marginalizing · excluded · overlooked · career limbo · dead-end
sideline
Secondary business pursuit
- substitutionExchange of one for another
- reservesResources held back
- depth chartPlayer priority list by position
rotation · second-string · coach · roster · resting · lineup · squad · backup · inactive · dugout
ghosting
Abruptly ceasing all communication
- breadcrumbingInconsistent romantic teasing
- situationshipUndefined romantic involvement
- stringing alongProlonged romantic deception
mixed signals · rejection · dating apps · swiping · texting · noncommittal · uncertainty · ambiguity · exclusivity · casual dating
barbell
Weighted exercise apparatus
power rack · pectorals · reps · sets · lockout · arch · chest day · pressing · lifting · triceps
sidelining
Removing from participation
- demotionReduction in status
- reassignmentShifting to new duties
- underutilizedInsufficiently put to work
passed over · marginalizing · excluded · overlooked · career limbo · dead-end
rest stop
Roadside traveler facility
trail · overlook · sitting · wrought iron · slats · armrest · public seating · plaza · courtyard · promenade
- disciplinemisconduct, violation, time-out, timeout, grounded
- coaching decisionssubstitutions, time out, rotation, lineup changes, challenge flag
- dating slangghosting, breadcrumbing, talking, situationship, cuffing
- quarry termsblasting, granite quarry, drilling, marble quarry, limestone quarry
- quarryingquarry, quarryman, quarry worker, quarrying, stone blocks
- animal showsbreed standards, conformation, exhibition, exhibitor, grooming
benchingstarting
Initiating an action
playing · fielding · putting in · activating · featuring
benchingcommitting
Carrying out an act
pursuing · prioritizing · going all in · engaging · cuffing
bench, benches, workbench, benched, bencher, workbenches, benchwarmer, benchwarmers, benchtops