on the sidelines

Idioms  

1. Observing rather than taking part, out of the action, as in Bolivia's neighbors remained on the sidelines, waiting to see which faction in the dispute would prevail. This idiom comes from sports. The sidelines are the two lines defining the sides of the court or playing field and the area immediately beyond them where, in such sports as football, the non-playing team members sit. [First half of 1900s]

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Example Sentences

In 2022, James Bullard, then the president of the St. Louis Fed, spoke at an off-the-record, invitation-only Citigroup forum for clients on the sidelines of meetings of the International Monetary Fund.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 19, 2026

Private-equity dealmaking also slowed down as buyers chose to sit on the sidelines.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 18, 2026

Such spells on the sidelines have kept the eyes of the world at arm's length, but on his major finals debut he was in full focus.

From BBC • Jun. 14, 2026

Jessica Lautz, deputy chief economist and vice president of research at the trade group, the National Association of Realtors, says would-be buyers may not want to stay on the sidelines.

From Barron's • Jun. 11, 2026

That’s because Martha no longer insisted that everyone be so stern-faced on the sidelines.

From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles