Elamur: [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [Parse](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/parse/) · **Dictionary** · [Translate](https://md.translate.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [Research](https://md.research.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [MCP](https://mcp.elamur.ai/) · [Groupants](https://md.groupants.elamur.ai/free/en/)

[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/on-the-bench/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [O](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/o/) / on the bench

# on the bench

phrase (adverb phrase used after «be» or «sit»: on the bench)

«on the bench» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

1. (sport, literal) a reserve player not playing at the moment.
2. (euphemism, jargon) a consultant or worker without a project to work on, still paid but idle.
3. (formal) serving as a judge.

### In the lessons

In consulting firms people say «on the bench» to mean having no paid work at the moment, which sounds better than «doing nothing». Also everyday sport talk and a legal phrase about judges. Jargon register, all English-speaking countries.

### Examples

- He spent the whole match on the bench.
- I've been on the bench for two weeks, waiting for a new project.
- She served on the bench as a judge for most of her life.
- Being on the bench too long can get you laid off.
- The coach kept his best striker on the bench.
- Mum says I'm on the bench at home because I'm not helping.

### Note

In sport it is a normal word, not a euphemism. At work it can hint that the person may lose the job. Plain words: unused, without work, reserve.