坐冷板凳 [ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄌㄥˇ ㄅㄢˇ ㄉㄥˋ; zuo4 leng3 ban3 deng4] to hold a title without the obligations of office to be kept waiting for an assignment or audience with a VIP to be out in the cold to be sidelined ◄ ►