sideline

American  

[sahyd-lahyn] / ˈsaɪdˌlaɪn /

noun

1. a line at the side of something.

2. a business or activity pursued in addition to one's primary business; a second occupation.

3. an additional or auxiliary line of goods.

   a grocery store with a sideline of household furnishings.

4. Sports.

   1. either of the two lines defining the side boundaries of a field or court.

   2. sidelines, the area immediately beyond either sideline, where the substitute players sit.

5. sidelines, the position or point of view taken by a person who observes an activity or situation but does not directly participate in it.

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verb (used with object)

sidelined, sidelining

1. to render incapable of participation, especially in anything involving vigorous, physical action, as a sport.

   An injury to his throwing arm sidelined the quarterback for two weeks.

sideline British  

/ ˈsaɪdˌlaɪn /

noun

1. sport a line that marks the side boundary of a playing area

2. a subsidiary interest or source of income

3. an auxiliary business activity or line of merchandise

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verb

1. to prevent (a player) from taking part in a game

2. to prevent (a person) from pursuing a particular activity, operation, career, etc

Etymology

Origin of sideline

An Americanism dating back to 1685–95; side ¹ + line ¹

Example Sentences

Guimaraes is now set for an extended spell on the sidelines in a huge blow for Newcastle.

From BBC

“The sedan market is very vibrant,” Ford CEO Jim Farley remarked to reporters on the sidelines of the Detroit auto show last month.

From The Wall Street Journal

She has aimed to burnish her personal stardom at every turn, staging aggressive crackdowns and sidelining officials who suggested a more cautious approach.

From The Wall Street Journal

Yet puzzlingly, they remain sidelined in the current affordability conversation.

From MarketWatch

Semafor reported that Slater had been sidelined from settlement negotiations between top Justice Department officials and Live Nation’s executives and lobbyists.

From Barron's