warming the bench
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Warming the bench is sitting on the sidelines rather than actively participating, from sports where substitute players remain seated until called into the game.
The phrase implies being sidelined or underutilized: He's been warming the bench all season.
It can extend beyond athletics to any situation where someone is kept in reserve rather than given a chance to contribute.
- underutilizedInsufficiently put to work
- benchwarmerSeldom-used team member
- riding the pineSidelined during competition
- substituteReplacement for another
- second stringSubstitute players, not starters
backfill · backup · self-doubt · sidelined · frustration · starter · perseverance · overlooked · disappointment · inactive · waiting in the wings · adaptability · training · resilience · anticipation · practice · deferred · readiness
warming the benchstarring
Playing the lead role
leading · running the show · headlining · front and center · in the spotlight
warm, warming, warmed, warms, warmer, warmest, warmth, warmly, lukewarm