banco vazio
[ˈbɐ̃ku ˈvaziw]
noun phrasemasculinepl: bancos vazios
empty bench
1. A bench with no one sitting on it; a literal unoccupied seat or bench
The park had many empty benches on a quiet afternoon.
O parque tinha muitos bancos vazios numa tarde tranquila.
2. An idiomatic expression referring to an absent or inactive participant, especially in sports, politics, or institutional settings
The candidate left an empty bench at the debate, failing to show up.
O candidato deixou um banco vazio no debate, não comparecendo.
3. A metaphorical reference to wasted opportunity or unfilled position
After the resignation, there were empty benches on the board of directors.
Após a renúncia, havia bancos vazios na diretoria.
In Brazilian Portuguese, 'banco vazio' is frequently used in sports journalism and political discourse to indicate absence or unfulfilled responsibility. It carries a sense of missing participation or wasted potential. The expression is particularly common in football (soccer) commentary and institutional contexts.
Related Idioms & Phrases
deixar um banco vazio (to leave an empty bench - to be absent from an important event)
banco vazio na seleção (empty bench on the team - absent player or missed opportunity in sports)
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