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

It grew out of watching mothers sit on the sidelines of their children’s lessons and yearning for a way to get on the court themselves.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026

Marcus Smith's try in the corner came with number eight Joaquin Oviedo in the sin-bin, before Santiago Carreras joined his team-mate on the sidelines for 10 minutes.

From BBC ● Jul. 18, 2026

Now that a majority of Americans own stocks, policymakers may find it hard to sit on the sidelines and not step in if the equity market is teetering, Balchunas said.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 11, 2026

The last few friction-filled places in my life—the only places I have made friends in the past couple of years—are that annoying ferry line, fishing and on the sidelines of my kids’ soccer games.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 10, 2026

During every game, he stood by himself on the sidelines because Carlos would not let him play.

From "The Circuit: Stories from the Life of a Migrant Child" by Francisco Jiménez