stay on the sidelines

to not be actively involved in something

Usage notes: The sidelines are the lines that mark the edges of a sports field.

The majority of western countries decided to stay on the sidelines during the crisis in the Middle East.

Name	Pronounced	Usage
Julitta	-	History
Yerushah	-	Biblical Hebrew
Muir	-	Scottish
Heiko	HIE-ko (Low German, Dutch)	Low German, Frisian, Dutch
Pompilius	-	Ancient Roman
Jade	JAYD (English)	English, French