a football player who is regarded as hard-working and competent but is not a star player
Water Carrier in British English
or Water Bearer
noun
the Water Carrier
water carrier in American English
noun
1.
a person who carries water, as to a body of troops
2.
a pipe, duct, or tank for conveying water
3.
a ship that transports goods or persons by waterway or sea routes
Word origin
[1645–55]This word is first recorded in the period 1645–55. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: capsule, cruise, soup, swab, vortex
Examples of 'water carrier' in a sentence
water carrier
He did things diligently, dependably, a kind of water carrier at left back.
Times, Sunday Times (2018)
He has a bit of water-carrier in his genome: hard running, scrappiness and discipline allied to a sublime passing eye.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
A water-carrier who goes off on a wild, winning breakaway will get fired rather than praised.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
In short, does he want to be a star or is he happy to be a water-carrier?
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
I was in midfield, un porteur d'eau, a water-carrier working for the more technical ones.
Times, Sunday Times (2018)
The idea that a match can be run by coaches blathering into a communication system to water carriers is almost beneath contempt.