third string
Rarely sees action
Third string refers to backup players or personnel who rank behind both the first and second choices.
In sports, third-string athletes rarely see game time unless injuries or blowouts occur: The third-string quarterback finally got some snaps in the fourth quarter.
More broadly, it describes anything considered a distant alternative or low priority.
Stored duplicate for recovery
- reserveSupply kept back
- understudyBackup actor, ready nightly
- alternateOccur in succession
- fallbackAlternative if primary fails
substitute · replacement · spare · auxiliary · standby · contingent · redundant · surplus
Seldom-used team member
- substituteReplacement for another
- backupStored duplicate for recovery
- reserveSupply kept back
- understudyBackup actor, ready nightly
depth chart · practice squad · junior varsity · JV · redshirt · walk-on · nonstarter · scrub
backup
Stored duplicate for recovery
- reserveSupply kept back
- understudyBackup actor, ready nightly
- alternateOccur in succession
fallback · substitute · replacement · spare · auxiliary · standby · contingent · redundant · surplus · extra
benchwarmer
Seldom-used team member
- substituteReplacement for another
- backupStored duplicate for recovery
- reserveSupply kept back
understudy · depth chart · practice squad · junior varsity · JV · redshirt · walk-on · nonstarter · scrub · sideline
violin
Bowed string instrument
- violaMidrange bowed instrument
- celloDeep-voiced bowed instrument
- double bassLargest bowed string instrument
guitar · banjo · mandolin · ukulele · harp · lute · fiddle · bass guitar · sitar · oud
- team rolesteam lead, captain, healer, goalkeeper, vice captain
- backupsbackup copy, backup file, backup drive, backup system, backup generator
- bench termsreserve player, substitute, backup, bench player, bench warmer
- reservesreserve, reserves, bank reserves, cash reserves, fuel reserve
- threestriad, triple, triplet, trinity, trilogy
- roster spotsstarter, starters, reserve, roster, starting lineup
third stringfirst string
Starting squad members
starter · starting lineup · number one · varsity · franchise player
third stringtop-tier
Of highest quality
elite · best-in-class · first-rate · cream of the crop · premier
third, string, thirds, thirdly, strings, stringed, stringing, stringy, stringer