35 Idioms for Waiting

When it comes to life’s pauses, “Idioms for Waiting” can transform your experience into something relatable and memorable. We’ve all been there—tapping our feet, glancing at our watches, and feeling time stretch endlessly. But what if you could express those feelings in a more vibrant way?

In this article, you’ll define a treasure trove of idioms that capture the essence of waiting, from the anxious moments to the hopeful ones. Get ready to enrich your vocabulary and find the perfect phrases to articulate your waiting game, making your conversations more engaging and colorful. Let’s dive in!

Idioms for Waiting

1. A watched pot never boils

Meaning: When you are eagerly waiting for something to happen, it often feels like it takes longer.
In a Sentence: “She kept checking her phone; a watched pot never boils.”
Other Ways to Say: Time drags, impatient moments.

2. Good things come to those who wait

Meaning: Patience often leads to favorable outcomes.
In a Sentence: “He finally landed the job; good things come to those who wait.”
Other Ways to Say: Patience rewards, wait for the best.

3. Killing time

Meaning: Engaging in activities to make the waiting period feel shorter.
In a Sentence: “I read a book to kill time before my appointment.”
Other Ways to Say: Passing the time, making time fly.

4. Waiting in the wings

Meaning: Being ready to take action when the opportunity arises.
In a Sentence: “The backup singer was waiting in the wings for her turn.”
Other Ways to Say: Poised for action, ready to step in.

5. Sitting on the fence

Meaning: Being indecisive or hesitant while waiting for a decision.
In a Sentence: “He’s sitting on the fence about which job offer to accept.”
Other Ways to Say: Hesitating, undecided.

6. On hold

Meaning: Delaying action or waiting for something to happen.
In a Sentence: “I’ve been on hold for over an hour trying to reach customer service.”
Other Ways to Say: Paused, waiting.

7. Time stands still

Meaning: Feeling like time is not progressing during a period of waiting.
In a Sentence: “During the exam, time stood still for me.”
Other Ways to Say: Time drags, feels eternal.

8. The calm before the storm

Meaning: A peaceful period before something chaotic happens.
In a Sentence: “The office was quiet; it was the calm before the storm of deadlines.”
Other Ways to Say: Quiet before chaos, lull before action.

9. Biding your time

Meaning: Waiting patiently for the right moment to act.
In a Sentence: “She is biding her time to make a strategic move.”
Other Ways to Say: Waiting patiently, strategic waiting.

10. Just around the corner

Meaning: Something anticipated is expected to happen soon.
In a Sentence: “The holidays are just around the corner.”
Other Ways to Say: Imminent, soon to arrive.

11. Waiting for the other shoe to drop

Meaning: Anticipating an expected negative event.
In a Sentence: “After hearing the news, I’m just waiting for the other shoe to drop.”
Other Ways to Say: Anticipating trouble, expecting the worst.

12. Time is of the essence

Meaning: Urgency in completing tasks or making decisions.
In a Sentence: “In business, time is of the essence.”
Other Ways to Say: Time-sensitive, urgent.

13. Just killing time

Meaning: Engaging in trivial activities to pass time.
In a Sentence: “I was just killing time at the café before my meeting.”
Other Ways to Say: Loafing, idling.

14. The waiting game

Meaning: A situation where one must wait for something to happen.
In a Sentence: “Now it’s just the waiting game until we hear back.”
Other Ways to Say: Waiting phase, patience required.

15. Idioms for Waiting In limbo

Meaning: Being in an uncertain or undecided state while waiting.
In a Sentence: “She felt in limbo while waiting for the results.”
Other Ways to Say: In uncertainty, in a holding pattern.

16. Waiting on tenterhooks

Meaning: Feeling anxious or nervous while waiting.
In a Sentence: “I was waiting on tenterhooks for the exam results.”
Other Ways to Say: Anxiously awaiting, on edge.

17. A moment of truth

Meaning: A critical point where a decision or outcome will be revealed.
In a Sentence: “The interview was her moment of truth.”
Other Ways to Say: Crucial moment, decisive point.

18. The waiting is the hardest part

Meaning: The anticipation of waiting can be more challenging than the outcome.
In a Sentence: “The waiting is the hardest part of planning a vacation.”
Other Ways to Say: Anticipation struggle, waiting challenge.

19. Hold your horses

Meaning: Be patient and wait before taking action.
In a Sentence: “Hold your horses; we’ll leave in ten minutes.”
Other Ways to Say: Wait a minute, slow down.

20. Waiting for a sign

Meaning: Anticipating a cue or indication before acting.
In a Sentence: “I’m just waiting for a sign to make my next move.”
Other Ways to Say: Seeking guidance, looking for direction.

21. Time to kill

Meaning: Free time available to be spent while waiting.
In a Sentence: “I have some time to kill before my flight.”
Other Ways to Say: Spare time, free moment.

22. Waiting with bated breath

Meaning: Waiting anxiously or with great anticipation.
In a Sentence: “She was waiting with bated breath for the results.”
Other Ways to Say: Eagerly waiting, breath held.

23. A waiting list

Meaning: A list of people awaiting a chance or opportunity.
In a Sentence: “There’s a waiting list for that popular restaurant.”
Other Ways to Say: Queue, reservation list.

24. On standby

Meaning: Being ready to take action or respond when needed.
In a Sentence: “The team was on standby for any emergencies.”
Other Ways to Say: Ready to act, poised.

25. Waiting for the ball to drop

Meaning: Anticipating a significant event or outcome.
In a Sentence: “I’m just waiting for the ball to drop on this project.”
Other Ways to Say: Awaiting results, expecting news.

26. In the pipeline

Meaning: Something is in the process of being developed or completed.
In a Sentence: “There are exciting projects in the pipeline.”
Other Ways to Say: In progress, underway.

27. Under the weather

Meaning: Feeling unwell, often requiring waiting to feel better.
In a Sentence: “She’s been under the weather and waiting to recover.”
Other Ways to Say: Not feeling well, unwell.

28. Waiting for the dust to settle

Meaning: Allowing time for a situation to stabilize before acting.
In a Sentence: “I’ll wait for the dust to settle before making any decisions.”
Other Ways to Say: Waiting for clarity, waiting for calm.

29. On the edge of your seat

Meaning: Anxiously waiting for something exciting or suspenseful to happen.
In a Sentence: “I was on the edge of my seat during the thriller.”
Other Ways to Say: Anticipating eagerly, full of suspense.

30. In a holding pattern

Meaning: Waiting without progress toward a goal.
In a Sentence: “The project is in a holding pattern until we get more funding.”
Other Ways to Say: Stalled, in limbo.

31. Wait and see

Meaning: To wait for more information before making a decision.
In a Sentence: “I’ll wait and see how the situation unfolds.”
Other Ways to Say: Observe first, hold off.

32. A waiting game

Meaning: An extended period of waiting, often with uncertainty.
In a Sentence: “It’s a waiting game until the election results are announced.”
Other Ways to Say: Patience required, prolonged waiting.

33. On the back burner

Meaning: Something that is temporarily set aside.
In a Sentence: “I’ve put that project on the back burner for now.”
Other Ways to Say: Delayed, deferred.

34. Waiting for a miracle

Meaning: Hoping for an unlikely positive outcome.
In a Sentence: “He’s just waiting for a miracle to save his business.”
Other Ways to Say: Hoping against hope, unrealistic hopes.

35. Waiting for the light at the end of the tunnel

Meaning: Anticipating a positive outcome after a difficult time.
In a Sentence: “After months of hard work, I finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.”
Other Ways to Say: Hope on the horizon, nearing resolution.

Quiz: Idioms for Waiting

What does “A watched pot never boils” imply?

A. Time feels longer when you are eagerly waiting.
B. Boiling pots require constant attention.
C. Watching pots speeds up cooking.
Answer: A

What is the meaning of “Good things come to those who wait”?

A. Patience often leads to positive outcomes.
B. Waiting is futile.
C. Good things happen unexpectedly.
Answer: A

Which idiom suggests indecision?

A. Killing time
B. Sitting on the fence
C. On hold
Answer: B

What does “In limbo” refer to?

A. A clear state of decision-making
B. A feeling of uncertainty or indecision
C. A fun game to play
Answer: B

What does “Waiting with bated breath” express?

A. Eager anticipation
B. Complete boredom
C. Disinterest in the outcome
Answer: A

What does “Killing time” mean?

A. Engaging in meaningful activities
B. Passing the time with trivial activities
C. Time spent in waiting rooms
Answer: B

What does “On standby” indicate?

A. Being unprepared
B. Being ready to act when needed
C. Taking a break
Answer: B

What is suggested by the idiom “The calm before the storm”?

A. Peaceful times are always enjoyable
B. A quiet period before chaos ensues
C. Calmness is a sign of trouble
Answer: B

What does “Waiting for the other shoe to drop” mean?

A. Anticipating a significant event
B. Expecting an inevitable negative outcome
C. Hoping for a surprise
Answer: B

What does “Biding your time” imply?

A. Taking action immediately
B. Waiting patiently for the right moment
C. Wasting time
Answer: B

What does “The waiting game” refer to?

A. A fun activity to pass time
B. An extended period of waiting
C. A strategy game
Answer: B

What does “Time stands still” express?

A. Time moves quickly
B. Feeling like time is not progressing
C. Time is irrelevant
Answer: B

What does “On the edge of your seat” mean?

A. Feeling relaxed
B. Eagerly waiting for something exciting
C. Being bored
Answer: B

What does “In a holding pattern” indicate?

A. Making progress
B. Waiting without moving toward a goal
C. Being in a hurry
Answer: B

What does “Waiting for a miracle” imply?

A. Hoping for an unlikely positive outcome
B. Expecting good news soon
C. Being realistic about outcomes
Answer: A

Conclusion

Idioms for waiting beautifully capture the nuances of anticipation and the human experience of patience. They enrich our language, allowing us to express emotions and situations that come with waiting. Whether it’s the joy of a long-awaited outcome or the anxiety of uncertainty, these idioms provide a relatable way to communicate our feelings.