"Warm the bench" is a colloquial phrase used to describe a player who is not actively participating in a game or competition. Synonyms for this phrase include "sit on the sidelines," "ride the pine," "watch from the bench," "be a spectator," and "occupy the bench." These phrases convey the idea of a player not being involved in the action and waiting for their turn to contribute. They are often used by coaches or commentators to describe a player's role in a game and can be seen as either negative or neutral depending on context. Ultimately, these phrases all highlight a player's lack of engagement in the current moment.