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

Ocon now faces a year on the sidelines, with the aim of finding a berth as a reserve driver, as he seeks to rebuild his career.

From BBC ● Nov. 4, 2026

Don’t sit on the sidelines during open enrollment.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 3, 2026

None of this is supposed to be an argument in favor of being a permabear and sitting on the sidelines in cash.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 29, 2026

"Elon Musk is a genius, truly a genius," Putin said while touring an exhibition on the sidelines of a Russia-Africa summit in Moscow.

From Barron's ● Oct. 28, 2026

Mr. Goldstein was the ref and Coach Nipper was sitting down on the sidelines taking notes.

From "Slam!" by Walter Dean Myers

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