on the bench
on the bench
1. Acting as judge in a court case. I thought we had a good chance of winning, but Steinman is on the bench—there's no way he'll rule in our favor.
2. Of a player or players in a team sport, not currently in the game, but situated on the perimeter of the playing area (often literally seated on a bench). The term can refer to players who are available to play or those who are ineligible due to injury, etc. The players on the bench might have a big impact on this game if the starters need to come out. He's been on the bench all season due to problems with his hip.
See also: bench, on
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
on the bench
1. [of a judge] directing a session of court. I have to go to court tomorrow. Who's on the bench? It doesn't matter who's on the bench. You'll get a fair hearing.
2. sitting, waiting for a chance to play in a game. (In sports, such as basketball, football, soccer, etc.) Bill is on the bench now. I hope he gets to play. John played during the first quarter, but now he's on the bench.
See also: bench, on
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
on the bench
1. Presiding as judge in a law court, as in Lawyers are very careful when Judge Brown is on the bench. This usage alludes to the seat occupied by a judge. [Late 1200s]
2. Waiting for a chance to participate; also, removed from participation. For example, Mary complained that all her colleagues were going to the sales conference while she was left on the bench . This usage comes from baseball and other sports, where players not deemed ready or competent to play sit on a bench watching the game. [Early 1900s]
See also: bench, on
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
- take the bench
- a sporting chance
- bench warmer
- benchwarmer
- warmer
- warmers
- good as (one's) word
- good as one's word, as
- grab some bench
- of word