bench (redirected from benches)

on the bench 

1. [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.

warm the bench

Fig. [for a player] to remain out of play during a game—seated on a bench. John spent the whole game warming the bench. Mary never warms the bench. She plays from the beginning to the end.

See also: warm

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on the bench

1. waiting to play in a game He went from spending all his time on the bench to being a starter.

2. serving as a judge Garman was the first woman in her law school and the first on the bench in Illinois.