ridden the bench
Watched from sidelines
Ridden the bench means to have spent time as a substitute rather than an active participant, especially in sports.
A player who has ridden the bench sat on the sidelines while others played: He rode the bench his freshman year but started every game as a sophomore.
The phrase extends to any situation where someone waits in reserve rather than contributing directly.
- benchwarmerSeldom-used team member
- redshirtAthlete held back a year
- practice squadReserve training roster
- overlookedNot noticed or considered
- frustrationDispleasure from blocked efforts
substitute · third string · marginalized · understudy · second string · nonstarter · scout team · training · disappointment · overshadowed · self-doubt · splinter · excluded · underutilized · garbage time · dormant · passed over · backup