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Glite Dictionary
to bench this idea

to bench this idea

7.6
Delay talking about an idea until later
  • phrasal verb
  • US
: posponer esta idea
  • After a lengthy discussion, the team decided to bench this idea until the next meeting.

Examples

  • When resources ran low, management chose to bench this idea rather than proceed immediately.

  • Let's bench this idea for now.

  • Sometimes it's best to bench this idea and revisit it when the timing is better.

  • We should bench this idea until next week.

  • After a lengthy discussion, the team decided to bench this idea until the next meeting.

  • Sometimes it's best to bench this idea and revisit it when the timing is better.

  • When resources ran low, management chose to bench this idea rather than proceed immediately.

Synonyms

to sit on
vsto bench this idea
34 4.2

Delay making a decision about something while thinking about it

postpones discussion rather than delaying to reflect carefully
to table
vsto bench this idea
  • Formal
13 7.3

To delay discussion or a decision about something until later

is a general delay of discussion about a matter until later
to put on the back burner
vsto bench this idea
1 5.6

To delay dealing with something until later and make it less important

postpones discussion without implying reduced importance
to bench
vsto bench this idea
  • Formal
1 7.4

To delay decision on a proposal until later

is a general postponement of an issue beyond a meeting context
to sit on a decision
vsto bench this idea
4.2

Delay making a decision by waiting instead of choosing

postpones discussing or considering a matter rather than only delaying the final choice
to sleep on the idea
vsto bench this idea
4.8

Delay making a decision until after you think about it overnight

postpones consideration without limiting the delay to one night
to bench the project
vsto bench this idea
6.3

To stop work on a project for a time until things change

postpones discussing or considering an issue rather than stopping active work
to kick into touch
vsto bench this idea
  • UK
8.9

To put a plan aside and often leave it without action

postpones discussion with expectation of later review rather than indefinite abandonment

Antonyms

to discuss
∞ 1.6

To talk with other people about something, often in detail

to consider
∞ 1.1

To think carefully before making a decision

How Considered

to adopt
440 3.2
to reject
839 1.9
to discuss
∞ 1.6
to bench this idea
  • US
7.6

Surface Forms

bench this idea infinitive
benched this idea past
benched this idea past participle
benching this idea present participle
benches this idea third person singular

Morphology

bench + this + idea

The meaning 'to postpone discussion' is directly and transparently derived from the verb 'bench' meaning 'to put aside/postpone' applied to the object 'this idea'; the determiner 'this' simply identifies the referent. This is a straightforward verb + object composition following normal English patterns, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents will readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Bench this idea may come from the image of putting an idea on a bench, like a player sitting on the bench in a game and not taking part. So, it means to 'postpone' or 'set aside' the idea until later.