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

I remember standing on the sidelines on countless weekend mornings watching my children play youth soccer.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 19, 2026

"The French president, who happens to be a very nice man, invited me to dinner at Versailles," he said on the sidelines of the G7 summit in the French lakeside resort of Evian.

From Barron's • Jun. 16, 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

For many drivers, the average new-vehicle price of around $50,000 is enough to keep them on the sidelines.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 13, 2026

We settle down in the grass on the sidelines, near midfield.

From "The Queen of Water" by Laura Resau