on the bench
The phrase "on the bench" has versatile meanings depending on the context, spanning from sports and law to business settings.
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Definition
B2Sports
(common)A player not currently participating in the game but available to substitute if needed.
Example
- The coach kept the star player on the bench until the second half.
C1Law
(formal)A judge presiding over court proceedings.
Example
- Judge Smith has been on the bench for over 20 years.
C1Business
(informal, corporate)An employee not currently assigned to a project but available for future assignments.
Example
- After finishing the last project, she spent a few weeks on the bench before being assigned a new task.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "on the bench":
take the benchbench strengthfront benchon the shelfon the tableon decktest benchon sidebench teston the decksit outback burneron ice