Definition
坐冷板凳 is a fixed expression (惯用语) that literally means 'to sit on a cold bench.' It describes a situation where someone is ignored, sidelined, or kept waiting without any real responsibility or attention — often in a work or social context. It can also refer to holding a title without actual authority. As a separable verb (离合词), you can insert time expressions or other elements between 坐 and 冷板凳, e.g., 坐了一年的冷板凳 ('to have been sidelined for a year').
v.o.
to be sidelinedto be kept waiting without attention or assignmentto hold a position without real power
Examples
- ，。Tā zài gōngsī zuò le sān nián lěng bǎn dèng, zhōngyú bèi tíbá le.He was sidelined at the company for three years before finally getting promoted.
- ，。Bié ràng wǒ yìzhí zuò lěng bǎn dèng, gěi wǒ yí gè biǎoxiàn de jīhuì ba.Don't keep me waiting on the sidelines — give me a chance to show what I can do.
- ，。Zhè wèi lǎo jiàoshòu suīrán guà zhe gùwèn de tóuxián, shíjì shàng yìzhí zài zuò lěng bǎn dèng.Although this old professor holds the title of advisor, he has actually been sidelined all along.
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