backbencher

IPA/ˌbækˈbentʃə(r)/
IPA/ˌbækˈbentʃər/

backbencher — 名詞

  • backbenchersingular
  • backbenchersplural

1. A lawmaker elected to the UK's national legislature who occupies one of the rear

1.名詞B2
釋義

後座議員

未擔任官方職位的普通國會議員

A lawmaker elected to the UK's national legislature who occupies one of the rear seating rows rather than a frontbench position such as government minister, opposition spokesperson, or party whip.

例句

As a backbencher, Talia rarely speaks during question time in the House of Commons.

作為一名後座議員，Talia 在國會質詢時間很少發言。

as a backbencher (role description)

Benjamin served as a backbencher for six years before the prime minister promoted him.

Benjamin 擔任了六年的後座議員，後來才被首相提拔。

promoted from backbencher to minister

同義詞
  • rank-and-file MP

    more general term used across many legislatures, less tied to the UK Parliament

  • private member

    used in some parliamentary systems, but in the UK a private member refers specifically to an MP proposing a personal bill

反義詞
  • frontbencher

    an MP who sits on the front benches as a minister or shadow minister

文法句型

often used with an indefinite article

often plural when referring to a group

用法筆記

This term is specific to the UK Parliament and other Westminster-style systems such as those in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It is not used for members of the US Congress.

常見錯誤

❌The American backbencher voted against the bill.
✅The British backbencher voted against the bill.
💡The word backbencher refers specifically to the UK and Commonwealth parliamentary system; members of the US Congress are not called backbenchers.

2. A student who shows little effort in their studies and achieves poor results, of

2.名詞B2
釋義

不用功學生

不努力或表現消極的學生

A student who shows little effort in their studies and achieves poor results, often because they lack motivation or interest.

例句

The teacher warned Ada that her grades would suffer if she remained a backbencher.

老師警告 Ada，如果再繼續當不用功的學生，她的成績會下滑。

remain a backbencher (unchanged state)

Kabir was dismissed as a backbencher until his science project won first prize.

Kabir 曾被認為是不用功的學生，直到他的科展作品拿到第一名。

dismissed as a backbencher (underestimated)

同義詞
  • underachiever

    focuses on results being below potential rather than on lack of effort

  • slacker

    more informal; emphasises avoidance of work rather than poor results

反義詞
  • high-flyer

    an ambitious and very successful student

文法句型

often used with an indefinite article

often used in educational contexts

用法筆記

This meaning is a figurative extension of the political term. It implies a lack of effort rather than a lack of ability. Common in British and Commonwealth school settings but infrequent in American English.

常見錯誤

❌She sits at the back of the class, so she is a backbencher.
✅She is called a backbencher because she rarely does her homework.
💡The term refers to a student's attitude and effort, not their physical seat location.