warm the bench

• Informeller Ausdruck ursprünglich aus dem Sport: untätig am Rand sitzen und nicht am Geschehen teilnehmen, besonders wenn man darauf wartet, eingesetzt zu werden oder mitmachen zu können.

An informal expression, originally from sports, meaning to sit out and not participate in an activity, especially when waiting for an opportunity to play or be involved.

1. Not playing in a gameB2informalamerican

   To sit on the sidelines as a substitute player, not participating in the game.

   Auf der Ersatzbank sitzen

   • He spent most of the season warming the bench.
   • The rookie was disappointed to be warming the bench again.
   • She warmed the bench for the entire championship game.

2. Being inactive or waitingB2informalamerican

   To be in a position of waiting or not being actively involved in an activity.

   Auf der Bank sitzen

   • I'm tired of warming the bench at work; I want a real project.
   • He's been warming the bench in the negotiations, waiting for his turn to speak.
   • She felt like she was just warming the bench in her relationship.