to sideline

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to sideline" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of excluding someone or something from participation or consideration in a particular context. Example: "The new policy will sideline those who do not meet the updated qualifications."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

That figured to sideline him four months.

The New York Times - Sports

I'm not running sideline to sideline.

The New York Times - Sports

Sideline to sideline, he made plays.

The New York Times - Sports

To sideline the arts makes no sense.

The Guardian

But if that's true, it seems to sideline the audience.

Independent

The effect has been to sideline other, hugely important matters.

The Guardian

Opposition leaders say these are excuses to sideline political opponents.

The Guardian

"I can make plays from sideline to sideline," Arrington said.

The New York Times - Sports

The third week, it was back to sideline.

The New York Times - Sports

Speaker Straus continued to sideline the bathroom bill.

The New Yorker

Renewed violence only makes it more urgent for the leaders to talk and to sideline extremists.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to sideline" when you want to emphasize the act of removing someone or something from active participation or consideration. It is particularly useful in sports, politics, and business contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "to sideline" excessively in formal academic writing. While acceptable, more formal synonyms like "to marginalize" or "to exclude" might be more appropriate depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "to sideline" is as a verb phrase. It is typically used as a transitive verb, requiring an object, to indicate the act of removing someone or something from a position of influence or active participation. As Ludwig AI notes, this phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to sideline" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase that describes the act of removing someone or something from a position of influence or active participation. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts, particularly in discussions of sports and politics. While generally neutral in register, it's important to consider the specific context and audience when choosing between "to sideline" and synonyms like "to marginalize" or "to exclude". Avoid overuse in highly formal writing, opting for more sophisticated vocabulary when appropriate. By understanding its nuances and proper usage, you can effectively communicate the intended meaning in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to marginalize

Focuses on reducing someone's importance or influence, shifting the emphasis from direct removal to reduced significance.

to exclude

Indicates a direct act of preventing someone or something from participating or being included.

to bench

Specifically refers to removing a player from a game or team, a more context-specific synonym.

to deprioritize

Shifts the focus to reducing the importance or urgency of something.

to remove from play

Directly relates to taking someone out of an active role, often in sports or competitive scenarios.

to displace

Suggests replacing someone or something with another, implying a removal from a position or role.

to push aside

Implies a forceful or deliberate act of removing someone or something from a position of influence.

to suspend

Indicates a temporary removal or cessation, often with the possibility of return.

to set aside

Focuses on temporarily disregarding or ignoring something for a specific purpose.

to keep out of circulation

Indicates removing something from general use or awareness, often referring to information or people.

FAQs

How can I use "to sideline" in a sentence?

You can use "to sideline" to describe the act of removing someone from a position, activity, or consideration. For example, "The injury forced the coach "to sideline" the star player."

What are some alternatives to "to sideline"?

Alternatives include "to marginalize", "to exclude", "to bench", and "to deprioritize", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "to sideline" or "to marginalize"?

The choice between "to sideline" and "to marginalize" depends on the nuance you want to convey. "To sideline" often implies a more direct removal from activity, while "to marginalize" suggests reducing importance or influence.

What does it mean to "sideline someone" in politics?

In politics, "to sideline someone" means to exclude them from important decisions, reduce their power, or remove them from a prominent position. This can be achieved through various strategies, such as assigning them less influential roles or ignoring their input.