sideline

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'sideline' is correct and is widely used in written English.
It can be used as a verb meaning to temporarily sideline or keep someone or something out of a situation or activity, or as a noun meaning something that is not given priority or that is secondary to something else. Example sentence: The player was sidelined due to an injury, and was unable to participate in the game.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Each prominent character has been given meaty storylines to gorge on, and while some haven't panned out quite as well as others (Jimmy's sideline as a sex worker was introduced and wisely dropped, as was an ill-advised plot-strand about drug-induced rape), the web of intrigue that's been constructed so far doesn't have any major weaknesses in it at all.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

GP Midway through DC United's game against Montreal Impact, just after Eddie Johnson had once again narrowly missed being on the spot for a chipped through ball, DC coach Chad Ashton remarked to a sideline interviewer that when the striker's first DC goal came, that then "they'd start coming in bunches".

The Guardian - Sport

Any concept of fairness to the British public was a sideline here.

The Guardian

That lost generation of talent - so poorly managed under a succession of coaches (most notably Robbie Deans and Ewen McKenzie) and out-of-touch Australian Rugby Union regimes - would have as its beginning the 2010 Bledisloe Cup fixture in Hong Kong, won 26-24 by the Wallabies at the death, courtesy of a James O'Connor try and sideline conversion.

The Guardian - Sport

The evening ended with Pochettino a frustrated spectator on the sideline and with this tie in the balance.

The Guardian - Sport

Up until that day, the party had acted as the sideline coach for the promising young prospect of the peace process called Sinn Fein.

The Guardian

Perhaps Halladay should have mentioned that one reason the team has the worst staff ERA in the National League is because he's been on the sideline all season, but those comments were suspiciously missing from his statements.

The Guardian - Sport

Morris smothers the ball brilliantly and holds Boyd as reinforcements bump Boyd over the sideline.

The Guardian - Sport

The hosts were staring at a 14-0 hole when playmaker Jamie Soward joined Moylan on the sideline after a late hit from Pauli Pauli midway through the second half that saw the Eels forward placed on report.

The Guardian - Sport

That neutrality too often tends to sideline regional papers during general elections so I welcome an innovation by Trinity Mirror's regional division to give its titles a role and a purpose this time around.

The Guardian

With the burgeoning housing crisis, landlords are more likely to view letting properties as a profession than a sideline.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In business writing, use "sideline" to indicate a secondary activity or product, but make sure it doesn't diminish the perceived value or importance of the primary focus. Clearly differentiate between the main offering and the "sideline" to avoid confusion.

Common error

Avoid implying permanence when using "sideline" to describe someone's removal from a situation. The term often suggests a temporary absence, so use alternative phrasing if the intention is to convey a permanent exclusion or dismissal.

Linguistic Context

The word "sideline" serves as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it denotes a boundary in sports or a secondary activity. As a verb, it means to remove someone or something from a primary position. This is supported by Ludwig and the numerous examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Sport

28%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "sideline" is a versatile term functioning as both a noun and a verb, commonly used across various contexts, especially in News & Media and Sports. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and widely used. As a noun, it can refer to the boundary of a playing field or a secondary activity. As a verb, it denotes the act of temporarily removing someone from a position of action or importance. When using this term, writers should be mindful of the potential for ambiguity and clarify the intended meaning through context. While primarily neutral in tone, the specific register may vary depending on the domain in which it is used. By paying attention to these nuances, writers can effectively and accurately incorporate "sideline" into their vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

marginalize

Focuses on making someone or something seem unimportant or irrelevant.

exclude

Emphasizes the act of preventing someone or something from participating or being considered.

disregard

Highlights the act of ignoring or paying little attention to something.

set aside

Suggests reserving something for later use or consideration, implying temporary removal from the main focus.

put on hold

Implies a temporary suspension or delay of something.

de-emphasize

Focuses on reducing the importance or prominence of something.

downplay

Suggests minimizing the significance of something.

relegate

Indicates assigning someone or something to a lower or less important position.

shelve

Implies putting something aside indefinitely, often with little chance of retrieval.

take a backseat

Indicates assuming a less important or influential role.

FAQs

How can I use "sideline" in a sentence?

You can use "sideline" as a verb, meaning to remove from action, or as a noun, referring to an activity done in addition to one's primary occupation. For example, "The coach decided to "sideline the player" due to poor performance", or "She started a small business as a "sideline to her regular work"".

What are some synonyms for "sideline"?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms such as "marginalize", "exclude", "relegate", or "set aside" when "sideline" means to remove or demote. If it refers to a side business, you can use "hobby" or "avocation".

Is it correct to use "sideline" to describe a temporary situation?

Yes, "sideline" often implies a temporary removal or a secondary status. However, ensure that the context clarifies the duration, as it can sometimes be ambiguous. For permanent situations, consider alternatives like "remove permanently" or "exclude entirely".

What's the difference between "sideline" and "marginalize"?

"Sideline" typically refers to a temporary removal or a secondary activity, while "marginalize" implies a more deliberate and potentially permanent reduction in importance or influence. You "sideline a player" for a game, but "marginalize a group" by consistently ignoring their needs.