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

See Examples For:

on the sidelines

The "situation is tense and there's a bit of a stalemate", ambassador Roelf Meyer told AFP on the sidelines of an event to launch his memoir.

From Barron's ● Oct. 26, 2026

Noodles didn’t elaborate on the specifics of the health issue or how long he expected to be on the sidelines.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 22, 2026

That was largely based on him saying Netherlands defender Matthijs de Ligt was "fit and ready" after 11 months on the sidelines with the back injury that required surgery in May.

From BBC ● Oct. 20, 2026

“It’s a growing pain,” Lebovitz told MarketWatch on Monday on the sidelines of J.P.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 19, 2026

Tough Will spent most of his games sitting on the sidelines eating orange slices.

From "All American Boys" by Jason Reynolds

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