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

Salzburg’s future is anyone’s guess, but even with Hinterhäuser on the sidelines, this summer is still his festival, meaningful as ever.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 5, 2026

In other words, the housing market is feeling the blow from rising mortgage rates, as buyers have found another reason to wait on the sidelines.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 5, 2026

PARIS—Zinédine Zidane, one of the most decorated coaches in European soccer and greatest players of his generation, had sat on the sidelines for five years, waiting for precisely this job.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026

At his unveiling in Paris, Zidane was keen to highlight the time he had spent waiting on the sidelines and preparing for the job.

From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026

Sharon Gaines paced up and down on the sidelines.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger