friend zone
1. noun Where someone is said to be when the object of their affection only sees them as a friend, rather than as a potential romantic partner. This term is usually (but not always) applied to males. If Bella cries to you about all of her bad dates but never asks you out, I'm afraid you're in the friend zone, dude.
2. verb To treat someone who is romantically interested in one as a friend, rather than as a potential romantic partner. When used as a verb, this phrase is usually written as one word. Why are you friendzoning Zack? He's a good guy, you should go out with him.