- on the bench
- on the bench1. [of a judge] directing a session of court. •
I have to go to court tomorrow. Who's on the bench?
•It doesn't matter who's on the bench. You'll get a fair hearing.
2. sitting, waiting for a chance to play in a game. (In sports, such as basketball, football, soccer, etc.) •Bill is on the bench now. I hope he gets to play.
•John played during the first quarter, but now he's on the bench.
* * *1. Sitting in a law court as a judge. * /Judge Wyzanski is on the bench this morning./ 2. Sitting among the substitute players. * /The coach had to keep his star player on the bench with a sprained ankle./ Compare: BENCH WARMER.
Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.