consigned to the sidelines

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "consigned to the sidelines" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that has been set aside or excluded from active participation or consideration. Example: "After the new policy was implemented, many employees felt they had been consigned to the sidelines in decision-making processes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Mr Clinton's legislative ambitions have long been consigned to the sidelines.

The Economist

Clara is still consigned to the sidelines for most of Act 2, with little to do beyond looking entranced and occasionally joining in the dancing.

The Guardian

In this version, British Asians are often consigned to the sidelines, observing while the interesting stuff is happening to the white characters.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The orchestra is consigned to the sidelines of culture, announcing its changes, plying its mythic wares and hoping that one day soon its stories will begin to matter again.

The New York Times - Arts

7. Trump does business with "Chuck and Nancy". After being consigned to the sidelines for months, this summer Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer and House minority leader Nancy Pelosi finally identified an issue on which they could gain leverage: the debt ceiling.

Harvard University

Agriculture has been consigned to the sidelines as Nanjie has used village labour to make instant noodles, beer, packaging materials and a variety of other products.The village owes its achievements to the collectivisation of its land, which has allowed it to redeploy surplus labour in industry.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

In an interview, Mr. Khatami said he worried that the reform movement might now be crippled by the disqualifications and consigned to the political sidelines for years.

The New York Times

Or be consigned to the care system?

Independent

Larger animals are consigned to the hold.

The New York Times

consigned to the dustbin of history, the better.

Columbia University

Media acknowledgments are often consigned to the rolling credits.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "consigned to the sidelines" when you want to emphasize that someone or something has been deliberately excluded from a central role or active participation. This phrase carries a stronger sense of intentionality compared to simply saying someone is "inactive".

Common error

Avoid using "consigned to the sidelines" to describe situations where someone is temporarily unavailable due to minor reasons. "Consigned" implies a more significant and often less reversible removal from activity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "consigned to the sidelines" primarily functions as a descriptive idiom. It indicates a state of being excluded or marginalized from active participation, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples, where individuals, groups, or even abstract concepts are described as being pushed out of the main action.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "consigned to the sidelines" is a descriptive idiom indicating exclusion from active participation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and appears frequently in news and media, as well as academic contexts, indicating its versatility and acceptance in both formal and neutral registers. While related phrases like "relegated to the bench" or "marginalized and excluded" offer similar meanings, "consigned to the sidelines" carries a particular emphasis on intentional exclusion. When using this phrase, ensure that the context warrants the implication of a deliberate act of setting something or someone aside, rather than a temporary or minor absence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sidelined indefinitely

Direct synonym implying an unspecified duration of inactivity due to external factors.

relegated to the bench

Emphasizes a demotion or removal from active participation, especially in sports or similar competitive contexts.

left on the periphery

Highlights the state of being on the edge or outside of the main activity or focus.

marginalized and excluded

Focuses on the act of being pushed to the margins and prevented from participating.

taken out of action

Emphasizes the removal from active involvement or participation.

benched indefinitely

Similar to 'relegated to the bench', but implies a longer or unspecified duration of inactivity.

rendered inactive

Highlights the state of being made unable to participate or function.

put on the back burner

Suggests that something is delayed or given lower priority.

kept out of the game

Focuses on the act of preventing someone from participating in a particular activity or competition.

held in reserve

Implies that someone or something is kept available but not currently in use.

FAQs

What does "consigned to the sidelines" mean?

The phrase "consigned to the sidelines" means someone or something has been excluded from active participation, often suggesting a deliberate act of marginalization.

What can I say instead of "consigned to the sidelines"?

You can use alternatives like "relegated to the bench", "marginalized and excluded", or "sidelined indefinitely" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "consigned to the sidelines" in formal writing?

Yes, "consigned to the sidelines" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly in news, academic, or business contexts, as evidenced by its use in publications like The New York Times and The Economist.

How is "consigned to the sidelines" different from "temporarily unavailable"?

"Consigned to the sidelines" implies a more significant and potentially lasting exclusion, whereas "temporarily unavailable" suggests a brief and expected absence.