ridden the pine
Sat out games
Ridden the pine means sat on the bench during a game rather than playing.
The pine refers to the wooden bench where substitute players wait.
A player who rides the pine sees little or no game time: He rode the pine all season before finally getting his chance to start.
The expression implies being sidelined or overlooked.
- left outNot made part of
- benchwarmerSeldom-used team member
- disappointmentSadness from unmet expectations
- sidelinedRemoved from participation
- underutilizedInsufficiently put to work
substitute · dugout · sitting out · backup · utility player · frustration · excluded · second-string · third string · splinter · perseverance · overlooked · marginalized · non-starter · waiting in the wings · garbage time · inactive · pinch hitter