Sometimes, things take a long time. Waiting in line, helping a younger sibling, or doing a tricky school project can test how calm we stay. That calm feeling we try to keep is called patience. Patience means not getting upset or rushing, even when something is slow or hard. It shows that we can handle waiting and stay cool under pressure.
People often use special phrases, called idioms, to talk about being patient. These idioms are fun ways to say things without using too many words. In this article, we’ll look at common idioms that talk about patience. They will help you understand how people show calmness and why it’s a good skill to have in everyday life.
Idioms for Patience
1. Hold your horses
Meaning: Wait and be patient.
For Example: Hold your horses, dinner will be ready soon. / You need to hold your horses before opening your gifts.
Alternatively: Just wait a bit. / Be calm.
2. Rome wasn’t built in a day
Meaning: Big things take time.
For Example: Learning piano is hard Rome wasn’t built in a day. / Don’t rush your drawing, Rome wasn’t built in a day.
Alternatively: Take your time. / Things need patience.
3. Take it slow
Meaning: Don’t hurry, go step by step.
For Example: We should take it slow while building the model. / Take it slow, we have plenty of time.
Alternatively: No need to rush. / Move gently.
4. In due time
Meaning: Something will happen after a while.
For Example: You’ll get better at math in due time. / The tree will grow tall in due time.
Alternatively: It will happen later. / Just wait.
5. One step at a time
Meaning: Do things slowly, one by one.
For Example: Solve the puzzle one step at a time. / Take the race one step at a time.
Alternatively: Don’t try everything at once. / Go slowly.
6. All in good time
Meaning: The right moment will come.
For Example: You’ll ride your bike without help all in good time. / Don’t worry, your chance will come all in good time.
Alternatively: Just wait. / Be patient.
7. Bite your tongue
Meaning: Keep quiet even if you want to talk.
For Example: I had to bite my tongue when my brother made a mess. / She bit her tongue instead of yelling.
Alternatively: Stay calm. / Don’t speak out.
8. Bide your time
Meaning: Wait quietly for the right moment.
For Example: He’s biding his time before asking a big question. / I’ll bide my time and speak later.
Alternatively: Wait for the right time. / Hold back for now.
9. Cool your jets
Meaning: Calm down and wait.
For Example: Cool your jets, we’ll leave soon. / You need to cool your jets about the test.
Alternatively: Be patient. / Don’t rush.
10. Sit tight
Meaning: Stay where you are and wait.
For Example: Sit tight while I check the results. / Just sit tight until the teacher comes.
Alternatively: Hold on. / Don’t move.
11. Keep your shirt on
Meaning: Stay calm, don’t get upset.
For Example: Keep your shirt on, it’s just a small delay. / He told me to keep my shirt on while waiting.
Alternatively: Relax. / Be calm.
12. Let nature take its course
Meaning: Let things happen slowly and naturally.
For Example: The butterfly will come out when ready let nature take its course. / Don’t rush, just let nature take its course.
Alternatively: Let things happen on their own.
13. Wait it out
Meaning: Stay calm until something ends.
For Example: We’ll have to wait out the storm. / Let’s wait it out until the line gets shorter.
Alternatively: Be patient through the wait.
14. Live and let live
Meaning: Let others be and don’t rush to judge.
For Example: She takes longer to answer, but live and let live. / I don’t like that music, but live and let live.
Alternatively: Be easygoing. / Don’t judge.
15. Not in a hurry
Meaning: Taking time, not rushing.
For Example: We’re not in a hurry, let’s enjoy the walk. / She’s not in a hurry to finish the puzzle.
Alternatively: Take your time. / No rush.
16. Easy does it
Meaning: Do something slowly and carefully.
For Example: Easy does it with that heavy box. / Easy does it, don’t spill the water.
Alternatively: Be gentle. / Go slow.
17. Wait your turn
Meaning: Don’t cut in line, be patient.
For Example: You need to wait your turn at the slide. / Wait your turn, just like everyone else.
Alternatively: Be fair. / Stand in line.
18. The waiting game
Meaning: A time of waiting and being patient.
For Example: We’re playing the waiting game until Dad gets home. / Getting into the team is a waiting game.
Alternatively: Just wait and see.
19. Hold back
Meaning: Stop yourself from rushing or speaking.
For Example: I had to hold back from shouting. / She held back her anger.
Alternatively: Stay calm. / Don’t act too fast.
20. Keep a lid on it
Meaning: Stay calm and quiet.
For Example: Keep a lid on it until Mom gets home. / He kept a lid on his feelings.
Alternatively: Don’t show anger. / Stay cool.
21. Take a breather
Meaning: Pause and rest to stay calm.
For Example: Let’s take a breather before the next round. / I took a breather to stay relaxed.
Alternatively: Pause for a moment. / Rest for a bit.
22. Give it time
Meaning: Wait and see what happens.
For Example: Your plant will grow, just give it time. / Give it time, the pain will go away.
Alternatively: Wait patiently. / Let time help.
23. Keep your cool
Meaning: Stay calm, even when it’s hard.
For Example: She kept her cool during the spelling test. / I tried to keep my cool while waiting.
Alternatively: Stay peaceful. / Don’t get upset.
24. Don’t rush it
Meaning: Do something slowly and carefully.
For Example: Don’t rush it, your drawing looks great. / You’ll learn don’t rush it.
Alternatively: Be slow and careful.
25. All things in time
Meaning: Everything will happen when it’s ready.
For Example: You’ll understand math better all things in time. / You’ll get your turn all things in time.
Alternatively: Patience brings results.
26. Take your sweet time
Meaning: Take as long as you want.
For Example: He took his sweet time getting ready. / Take your sweet time, no one’s rushing you.
Alternatively: Go at your own pace.
27. Watch the clock
Meaning: Keep track of time while being patient.
For Example: She kept watching the clock before recess. / He watched the clock during practice.
Alternatively: Keep an eye on the time.
28. Wait and see
Meaning: Be patient and find out later.
For Example: Wait and see what the surprise is. / Let’s wait and see how the cake turns out.
Alternatively: Just wait. / Be curious but patient.
29. Hang on
Meaning: Wait for a short time.
For Example: Hang on, I’ll be right there. / Hang on while I grab your book.
Alternatively: Wait a second. / Hold tight.
30. Hold the line
Meaning: Stay waiting on a phone or in a place.
For Example: Please hold the line, the doctor will speak to you soon. / Hold the line, I’ll ask Dad.
Alternatively: Stay on the phone. / Be patient while waiting.
31. On hold
Meaning: Waiting for something to happen.
For Example: The field trip is on hold until next week. / My game is on hold while I do chores.
Alternatively: Paused for now.
32. Don’t blow your top
Meaning: Don’t get mad too quickly.
For Example: Don’t blow your top it was an accident. / Try not to blow your top over the mistake.
Alternatively: Keep calm. / Don’t yell.
33. Not worth the rush
Meaning: Better to take time than hurry.
For Example: Making a cake is not worth the rush. / It’s not worth the rush to finish your story.
Alternatively: Go slowly. / Take your time.
34. Patience is a virtue
Meaning: Being patient is a good thing.
For Example: You waited so nicely patience is a virtue. / Patience is a virtue when helping others.
Alternatively: Being calm is kind.
35. Wait for the dust to settle
Meaning: Wait until things calm down.
For Example: Let’s wait for the dust to settle after the fight. / Wait for the dust to settle before asking again.
Alternatively: Let things cool off.
36. Good things come to those who wait
Meaning: Waiting brings nice results.
For Example: He got picked for the team good things come to those who wait. / She waited and found a better prize.
Alternatively: Waiting pays off.
37. Slow and steady wins the race
Meaning: Going slowly helps you succeed.
For Example: Take your time slow and steady wins the race. / Don’t rush your work slow and steady wins.
Alternatively: Go steady. / Be patient.
38. Wait in the wings
Meaning: Be ready while waiting quietly.
For Example: She waited in the wings until it was her turn to sing. / He’s waiting in the wings for a chance to play.
Alternatively: Be ready while waiting.
39. Be still
Meaning: Stay calm and don’t move or act yet.
For Example: Be still, the deer might come closer. / Be still and listen to the music.
Alternatively: Stay quiet and calm.
40. Take a step back
Meaning: Pause and look again with calm eyes.
For Example: Take a step back if the puzzle is too hard. / He took a step back before answering.
Alternatively: Rest and think first.
True/False Quiz: Idioms for Patience
1. If someone says “Hold your horses,” they mean you should hurry up and go fast.
True / False
2. “Rome wasn’t built in a day” means important things take time.
True / False
3. When a person says “Sit tight,” they are asking you to leave quickly.
True / False
4. “Take it slow” means to do things one step at a time.
True / False
5. If someone says “Don’t rush it,” they mean you should do something quickly.
True / False
6. “Keep your cool” means to stay calm and not get angry.
True / False
7. “Good things come to those who wait” means it’s better to rush than to wait.
True / False
8. “Bite your tongue” means to say everything you feel right away.
True / False
9. When someone is “on hold,” they are waiting for something.
True / False
10. “Easy does it” means you should hurry and be loud.
True / False
Answer Key
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- False
- True
- False
Scoring Guide
- 10 Correct Answers: Idioms Master!
- 7–9 Correct Answers: You really get Idioms nice work!
- 4–6 Correct Answers: You’re learning, keep going!
- 0–3 Correct Answers: Let’s learn about Idioms together!
Conclusion
Being patient is not always easy, but it is important. When you wait without getting upset, you show strength. Idioms help us talk about patience in a fun and clear way.
By learning these idioms, you can better understand what people mean when they speak. Try using them the next time you’re in a long line or waiting your turn. Over time, these phrases will help you stay calm and think before acting.
