From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishsidelinessidelines[plural]DS the area just outside the lines that form the edge of a sports fieldon the sidelines Wenger stood on the sidelines shouting instructions. → sideline
Examples from the Corpus
on the sidelines• Only McManaman, with a serious knee injury, will still be on the sidelines when they return to Villa Park tonight.• And I see companions and conviviality as much more on the sidelines of life than at the centre.• And Congress, with its hands in its pocket-wherein reside its true concern-stands mute1y on the sidelines.• Jody is standing on the sidelines watching the visitors go through their drills.• A bad tendon strain in Aldaniti's off-foreleg had to be fired, and he was on the sidelines for eighteen months. 