Benching is a term used in various contexts, but it primarily refers to the act of temporarily sidelining someone from a team or group. In sports, a player may be benched for poor performance or to allow another player to gain experience. This decision is often made by coaches to improve overall team dynamics and performance. In social situations, benching can describe a scenario where someone keeps another person as a backup option in dating or friendships. This means they may not fully commit but maintain contact, keeping the other person on hold while exploring other relationships.