back bench

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noun

any of the rows of seats occupied by the backbenchers.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Compare front bench.

Origin of back bench

First recorded in 1870–75

Words nearby back bench

back bacon, backband, backbar, Back Bay, backbeat, back bench, backbencher, backbend, backbite, backblocks, backboard

How to use back bench in a sentence

The GOP showed a deeper, stronger back bench that seems to be missing this year on the Democratic side of the aisle.
DNC Preview: The Democrats’ Convention Trap|Mark McKinnon|September 2, 2012|DAILY BEAST
All the bed wetters and second guessers are now weighing in from the back bench.
In Defense of Clint Eastwood: Oddity Aside, GOP Convention Succeeded|Mark McKinnon|August 31, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Why is a general so lionized hanging up his uniform for a back-bench position?
Behind David Petraeus' CIA Detour|Jamie McIntyre|May 6, 2011|DAILY BEAST
But the Virginia congressman has the most to gain from a back-bench revolt.
John Boehner's GOP Headaches|Benjamin Sarlin, Samuel P. Jacobs|January 6, 2011|DAILY BEAST

At thirty-seven he had been sitting in a stuff gown on a back bench in the Court of King's Bench.
The History of England from the Accession of James II.|Thomas Babington Macaulay
Then he indicated the vacant swing-back bench at the far side of the table, and sat down opposite to Cartoner himself.
The Vultures|Henry Seton Merriman
With the utmost alacrity one big girl from a back bench came rushing to the schoolmistress' assistance.
The Woman Thou Gavest Me|Hall Caine
The luckless form of the youthful Lawkins, pale and scared, rose from a back bench.
The Willoughby Captains|Talbot Baines Reed
The beds were made upon the earthen floor of his tomato-forcing house and under the back bench.
Mushrooms: how to grow them|William Falconer