empty chair
English
[edit]Noun
[edit]empty chair (plural empty chairs)
- (psychotherapy) A chair which is used to personify the client's object of conflict
- A podium or chair left empty to highlight the absence of someone from a debate.
- 2016, Jon Kelly, “Inside the Trump-less Fox News Debate: V.F. Contributors Offer Analysis in Real-Time”, in Vanity Fair:
- "Megyn Kelly and The Donald's empty chair made Thursday’s debate the most absurd moment of the election cycle—and that's really saying something!"
- A position held by someone who is absent or otherwise ineffectual.
Verb
[edit]empty chair (third-person singular simple present empty chairs, present participle empty chairing, simple past and past participle empty chaired)
- (transitive, debating) To draw attention to (a person who is absent from a debate) by providing an empty podium or chair which they would have occupied.
- 2015, John Plunkett, TV debates: broadcasters will 'empty chair' leaders who refuse to take part The Guardian[1]:
- "The BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Sky have said they will “empty chair” any party leaders who refuse to take part in their revised proposals for TV election debates."
- 2017, May Bullman, “TV broadcasters considering 'empty chair' for Theresa May after she refuses to take part in leaders' debate”, in The Independent:
- "When later asked if Ms May would be “empty chaired”, a spokesperson also refused to rule out the possibility, saying the full plans would be announced in early May."