keep the seat warm—occupy a position temporarily for a person who is not yet ready or qualified to hold it:
- They are using Kim to just keep the seat warm till they find somebody who can win them an election.
Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase keep one’s seat—(also: hold one’s seat)
1. remain seated:
- Bartlet entered the room. Everyone started to stand, but the Governor motioned for them to keep their seats.
2. keep from falling:
- Though aided by the high-bowed “mountain-saddle” I could scarcely keep my seat on horseback.
3. retain one’s position, membership in parliament, etc.:
- Despite his bribery conviction, Nakamura kept his seat in two elections.
warm the bench—(Sport) sit among the substitute players during a game:
- Aherne has warmed the bench much more assiduously than he has passed the ball.
See also: bench warmer / chair warmer.