Definition
冷板凳 is a metaphor from Chinese theater: when an actor had no role to play, they would sit on a cold bench backstage. Nowadays it refers to being given a position with no real power, being sidelined, or receiving cold treatment. It commonly appears in the phrase 坐冷板凳 ('to be sidelined').
n.
cold treatmentbeing sidelinedinsignificant position
Examples
- 冷板凳。Tā zài gōngsī zuò le sān nián lěng bǎn dèng.He has been sidelined at the company for three years.
- 。Xīn lái de yuángōng zǒng shì zuò lěng bǎn dèng.New employees always get the cold shoulder.
- 。Zuò lěng bǎn dèng de gǎnjué hěn bù hǎo.Being sidelined feels very unpleasant.
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