33 Idioms About Waiting

Waiting can feel like a drag sometimes, whether you’re stuck in line at the store or eagerly waiting for a big life change. But language has a way of turning waiting into something a bit more colorful and interesting.

In this article, we’re going to explore 33 idioms about waiting that are not only fun but also relatable in everyday conversations. So, let’s dive into these expressions and see how they can spice up your next chat about waiting!

Idioms About Waiting

Table of Contents

1. A watched pot never boils

Meaning: When you’re anxiously waiting for something, the time seems to pass slower, and it feels like the wait will never end.
In a Sentence: “I’ve been staring at this email for 20 minutes, and it feels like a watched pot never boils!”
Other Ways to Say: “Time crawls when you’re waiting” or “Patience is key.”

2. Good things come to those who wait

Meaning: Patience pays off in the end; good things are worth the wait.
In a Sentence: “I know the project is taking longer than expected, but good things come to those who wait.”
Other Ways to Say: “All in good time” or “Patience is a virtue.”

3. Bide your time

Meaning: To wait patiently for the right moment to act or take advantage of a situation.
In a Sentence: “He’s biding his time until the right opportunity to speak up arises.”
Other Ways to Say: “Wait for the right moment” or “Hold your horses.”

4. In the meantime

Meaning: Referring to the time spent waiting before something happens.
In a Sentence: “We’re waiting for the approval to go through, but in the meantime, we can start preparing the materials.”
Other Ways to Say: “While you wait” or “Until then.”

5. Hang in there

Meaning: To stay patient and not give up, especially when things are tough.
In a Sentence: “I know it’s hard, but hang in there, the end is almost in sight.”
Other Ways to Say: “Stay strong” or “Keep going.”

6. Sit tight

Meaning: To wait calmly without making any unnecessary moves or complaints.
In a Sentence: “The delivery will arrive soon; just sit tight and we’ll let you know.”
Other Ways to Say: “Wait patiently” or “Hold on.”

7. At a standstill

Meaning: When progress or movement has completely stopped, often due to waiting.
In a Sentence: “The project is at a standstill until we hear back from the client.”
Other Ways to Say: “Stuck in a rut” or “Deadlocked.”

8. Waiting for the other shoe to drop

Meaning: Waiting for something bad to happen, typically after a series of events have unfolded.
In a Sentence: “Everything seems fine now, but I’m just waiting for the other shoe to drop.”
Other Ways to Say: “Brace yourself” or “Waiting for the inevitable.”

9. Take your sweet time

Meaning: To wait without hurrying, often when there’s no need to rush.
In a Sentence: “You can take your sweet time with the project, but just let me know if you need help.”
Other Ways to Say: “Go at your own pace” or “No rush.”

10. Let the dust settle

Meaning: To wait until things calm down or become clearer before making a decision or taking action.
In a Sentence: “I’m going to let the dust settle before I decide what to do next.”
Other Ways to Say: “Wait for things to calm down” or “Let things unfold.”

11. Behind the scenes

Meaning: Waiting or working in a hidden, often unnoticed way, usually in preparation for something bigger.
In a Sentence: “While the actors get the spotlight, the crew is working behind the scenes to make the show a success.”
Other Ways to Say: “In the background” or “In the wings.”

12. Like watching paint dry

Meaning: A way of saying that something is so boring or slow that it feels like time is standing still.
In a Sentence: “Waiting for the meeting to start felt like watching paint dry!”
Other Ways to Say: “Like watching grass grow” or “Like waiting for a kettle to boil.”

13. Kill time

Meaning: To spend time in a way that helps pass the wait, often with little purpose or activity.
In a Sentence: “I’ve got an hour to kill before my next meeting, so I’m just going to browse through some emails.”
Other Ways to Say: “Pass the time” or “Make the most of the wait.”

14. Stand by

Meaning: To wait, usually in readiness to act as soon as something happens.
In a Sentence: “We’re on standby until we get confirmation that the storm has passed.”
Other Ways to Say: “Be on alert” or “Wait for instructions.”

15. Waiting with bated breath

Meaning: To wait anxiously or excitedly for something, usually with a sense of anticipation.
In a Sentence: “I’ve been waiting with bated breath for the results of the contest!”
Other Ways to Say: “On the edge of your seat” or “In suspense.”

Sure! Here’s the continuation of the article with some additional idioms for you.

16. On hold

Meaning: To pause something temporarily, often waiting for further action or decision.
In a Sentence: “I had to put my vacation plans on hold until my boss approves my time off.”
Other Ways to Say: “Paused” or “Temporarily delayed.”

17. Put something on the back burner

Meaning: To delay or postpone something, usually because more pressing matters are at hand.
In a Sentence: “We’ve put the new product launch on the back burner while we focus on the current project.”
Other Ways to Say: “Delay it” or “Set it aside.”

18. Wait in the wings

Meaning: To be ready and waiting to take action, often in the background, until the right moment arises.
In a Sentence: “The new manager is waiting in the wings, ready to take over when the current one retires.”
Other Ways to Say: “In the queue” or “On standby.”

19. Wait for the dust to settle

Meaning: To wait until things calm down or become clearer, often after a chaotic or turbulent situation.
In a Sentence: “The meeting was intense, so I decided to wait for the dust to settle before discussing my opinion.”
Other Ways to Say: “Wait for things to calm” or “Let things cool down.”

20. Mark time

Meaning: To wait without making any progress, often due to a lack of action or opportunity.
In a Sentence: “I feel like I’m just marking time until I get a new project to work on.”
Other Ways to Say: “Idle away” or “Kill time.”

21. Twiddle your thumbs

Meaning: To wait in a bored or impatient manner, often with a sense of not knowing what to do while waiting.
In a Sentence: “I’ve been twiddling my thumbs all afternoon waiting for the test results.”
Other Ways to Say: “Fidget” or “Sit around.”

22. Sit on your hands

Meaning: To deliberately refrain from taking action or from interfering, often while waiting for a situation to evolve.
In a Sentence: “I had to sit on my hands during the meeting and let the team present their ideas first.”
Other Ways to Say: “Hold back” or “Refrain from action.”

23. Wait it out

Meaning: To endure a situation and wait for it to resolve on its own.
In a Sentence: “The storm is too intense to drive through, so we’ll just wait it out here until it clears.”
Other Ways to Say: “Endure the wait” or “Tough it out.”

24. Wait with anticipation

Meaning: To wait excitedly for something, often with high hopes or curiosity.
In a Sentence: “She waited with anticipation for her exam results, hoping she had passed.”
Other Ways to Say: “Eagerly await” or “Look forward to.”

25. Put off until tomorrow

Meaning: To delay doing something until a later time, often because it doesn’t need to be done right away.
In a Sentence: “I’ll put off until tomorrow finishing this report; I need a break.”
Other Ways to Say: “Postpone” or “Delay.”

Absolutely! Here are 10 more idioms about waiting to continue our exploration.

26. Let the chips fall where they may

Meaning: To let something happen as it will, without worrying about the outcome, while waiting for things to unfold.
In a Sentence: “I’ve done all I can, now I’ll just let the chips fall where they may.”
Other Ways to Say: “Let nature take its course” or “Leave it to fate.”

27. Take a back seat

Meaning: To wait patiently and allow others to take the lead or make decisions while you remain in the background.
In a Sentence: “I’ll take a back seat on this project and let the team handle it.”
Other Ways to Say: “Let someone else take charge” or “Take a step back.”

28. Play the waiting game

Meaning: To wait for something, often in a strategy or competitive context, where the outcome depends on timing and patience.
In a Sentence: “I have to play the waiting game until the market settles down.”
Other Ways to Say: “Wait it out” or “Be patient.”

29. Just around the corner

Meaning: Something that is expected to happen soon, often after a brief wait.
In a Sentence: “The holidays are just around the corner, and I can’t wait for the break!”
Other Ways to Say: “Right around the corner” or “On the horizon.”

30. Hurry up and wait

Meaning: To be told to move quickly, only to then be forced to wait, often creating frustration.
In a Sentence: “We rushed to the airport, but now we’re just sitting here, hurry up and wait.”
Other Ways to Say: “Rush and pause” or “Move fast, wait long.”

31. In a holding pattern

Meaning: To wait for further instructions or developments while in a situation of uncertainty.
In a Sentence: “The negotiations are in a holding pattern until the next meeting.”
Other Ways to Say: “In limbo” or “In a pause state.”

32. Caught between a rock and a hard place

Meaning: To wait in a tough spot where neither option is ideal, usually due to external pressure.
In a Sentence: “I’m caught between a rock and a hard place, trying to decide whether to take this job or wait for something better.”
Other Ways to Say: “In a bind” or “Between the devil and the deep blue sea.”

33. On tenterhooks

Meaning: To be in a state of anxious waiting or suspense, often in anticipation of an important outcome.
In a Sentence: “I’m on tenterhooks waiting to hear if I got the promotion.”
Other Ways to Say: “On edge” or “In suspense.”

34. Milling around

Meaning: To wait aimlessly or without clear direction, often in a group setting.
In a Sentence: “We were milling around in the lobby, waiting for the meeting to begin.”
Other Ways to Say: “Loitering” or “Idling.”

MCQ Quiz: Idioms About Waiting

1. What does the idiom “Bite the bullet” mean?

A) To make a decision after much contemplation
B) To endure something painful or unpleasant
C) To wait eagerly for an outcome
D) To act decisively without fear

Answer: B) To endure something painful or unpleasant

2. What is the meaning of the idiom “Sit tight”?

A) To take immediate action
B) To remain patient and wait for further instructions
C) To change your plans quickly
D) To sit down and relax

Answer: B) To remain patient and wait for further instructions

3. “Hurry up and wait” refers to:

A) Waiting for a long time without any action
B) Moving quickly, but then being forced to wait
C) Waiting with excitement
D) Waiting for an uncertain outcome

Answer: B) Moving quickly, but then being forced to wait

4. What does “Let the chips fall where they may” mean?

A) To wait until everything falls into place
B) To allow the outcome to happen without interference
C) To let someone else make decisions for you
D) To act hastily without thinking

Answer: B) To allow the outcome to happen without interference

5. “Play the waiting game” is used to describe:

A) A situation where no waiting is involved
B) A situation requiring patience until the right moment
C) A strategy of avoiding action
D) A situation that calls for immediate results

Answer: B) A situation requiring patience until the right moment

6. Which of the following idioms means to wait in suspense or anxiety?

A) On tenterhooks
B) Caught between a rock and a hard place
C) Put something on the back burner
D) Twiddle your thumbs

Answer: A) On tenterhooks

7. What is meant by “Wait in the wings”?

A) To wait without taking any action
B) To wait while being prepared for an opportunity
C) To wait until everything is settled
D) To take charge immediately

Answer: B) To wait while being prepared for an opportunity

8. “Milling around” suggests that someone is:

A) Waiting without a clear purpose or direction
B) Eagerly awaiting something exciting
C) Taking action to pass the time
D) Acting decisively

Answer: A) Waiting without a clear purpose or direction

9. What does the idiom “Mark time” mean?

A) To wait without making any progress
B) To wait eagerly for something to happen
C) To move forward despite delays
D) To wait while planning your next move

Answer: A) To wait without making any progress

10. What does “Let things cool down” mean?

A) To avoid making decisions until a situation is calmer
B) To act immediately when things get heated
C) To take advantage of a heated situation
D) To wait for someone else’s decision

Answer: A) To avoid making decisions until a situation is calmer

Wrap Up

Waiting can be frustrating, but idioms help express it. Phrases like “twiddle your thumbs” or “play the waiting game” capture the tension. These idioms add color to conversations. They make waiting sound less boring and more relatable.

In daily life, waiting is inevitable. Using idioms like “let the chips fall where they may” helps. They express patience, anxiety, and hope. The right idiom can turn waiting into an experience.

James tony