benchwarmer
Rarely plays athlete
A benchwarmer is an athlete who spends most of the game sitting on the bench rather than playing—a reserve who rarely sees action: He was a benchwarmer for three seasons before finally getting his chance.
The term carries a mildly dismissive tone, suggesting someone not good enough to contribute.
It extends figuratively to anyone sidelined or uninvolved.
Replacement for another
- backupStored duplicate for recovery
- second-stringSubstitute team members
- alternateOccur in succession
- standbyReady substitute awaiting use
replacement · spare · relief · fallback · depth chart · understudy · shadow · reinforcement
Secondary business pursuit
- teammateFellow squad member
- squadSmall working group
- rosterList of members
- lineupOrdered list of participants
coach · practice · uniform · locker room · dugout · support · camaraderie · dedication
Not noticed or considered
- unusedNever put to purpose
- idleWithout activity or purpose
- neglectedNot given proper attention
- untappedNot yet utilized
sidelined · dormant · wasted · inactive · passed over · undervalued · unproven · frustrated
substitute
Replacement for another
- backupStored duplicate for recovery
- second-stringSubstitute team members
- alternateOccur in succession
standby · replacement · spare · relief · fallback · depth chart · understudy · shadow · reinforcement · deputy
sideline
Secondary business pursuit
lineup · coach · practice · uniform · locker room · dugout · support · camaraderie · dedication · commitment
overlooked
Not noticed or considered
untapped · sidelined · dormant · wasted · inactive · passed over · undervalued · unproven · frustrated · stagnant
patience
Calm during delays
- anticipationState of awaiting something
- hopefulFeeling positive expectation
- aspiringSeeking to achieve
eager · ready · yearning · watchful · opportunity · prospect · potential · ambition · dreaming · restless
- athletesathlete, Olympian, champion, swimmers, runner
- sports termssoccer, football, basketball, tennis, golf
- game participantsplayer, gamer, competitor, contestant, opponent
- sports idiomsdrop the ball, throw in the towel, slam dunk, out of left field, level playing field
- sports slangalley-oop, buzzer beater, clutch, dunk, slam dunk
- substitutessubstitute, subs, replacement, substitutes, stand-in
benchwarmerstarter
Initiator of action
first-stringer · first-string · regular · star player · franchise player