Waiting is something we all do. We wait for the school bell to ring, for our food at a restaurant, or for our favorite show to come on. Sometimes waiting is easy, like when we’re excited. Other times, it feels slow and boring. People use special phrases to talk about waiting. These phrases are called idioms.
Idioms are not meant to be taken exactly as they sound. They are fun ways to say something. For example, someone might say, “I’m counting the minutes,” when they’re really just waiting and watching the clock. In this article, we’ll look at idioms that people use when they talk about waiting. You’ll learn what they mean and how to use them in your own words. These phrases can make your speaking and writing more interesting. Let’s find out what they are.
Idioms for Waiting
1. Wait and see
Meaning: Be patient and watch what happens.
For Example: We don’t know if the snow will come let’s just wait and see. / Wait and see how the game turns out.
Alternatively: Let’s be patient. / Give it time.
2. In the pipeline
Meaning: Something is being prepared or is on the way.
For Example: The new video game is in the pipeline. / Your snack is in the pipeline it’s coming soon.
Alternatively: It’s coming. / It’s being worked on.
3. On hold
Meaning: Something is paused or delayed.
For Example: Our trip is on hold until Dad feels better. / The movie night is on hold because of the storm.
Alternatively: Delayed / Paused
4. Bide your time
Meaning: Wait calmly for the right moment.
For Example: I’m just biding my time until lunch. / She bided her time before asking the teacher.
Alternatively: Be patient / Wait quietly
5. Hold your horses
Meaning: Wait a little bit; don’t rush.
For Example: Hold your horses we’ll leave in five minutes. / You need to hold your horses before opening gifts.
Alternatively: Slow down / Be patient
6. Kill time
Meaning: Do something while waiting.
For Example: I played a game to kill time before dinner. / He read a comic book to kill time in the doctor’s office.
Alternatively: Pass the time / Stay busy
7. On the back burner
Meaning: Something is being delayed for later.
For Example: The class party is on the back burner for now. / We’ll put the art project on the back burner.
Alternatively: Saved for later / Not a big deal right now
8. Count the minutes
Meaning: Wait and feel like time is slow.
For Example: I was counting the minutes until recess. / She counted the minutes until the pizza arrived.
Alternatively: Watching the clock / Waiting eagerly
9. In limbo
Meaning: Stuck waiting, not knowing what will happen.
For Example: We were in limbo while the teacher checked our tests. / I’m in limbo about our weekend plans.
Alternatively: Not sure / Still waiting
10. Drag on
Meaning: Time feels slow.
For Example: The class dragged on before lunch. / Waiting in line made the day drag on.
Alternatively: Feel slow / Take forever
11. In a holding pattern
Meaning: Not moving forward; just waiting.
For Example: We’re in a holding pattern until the teacher gives directions. / The project is in a holding pattern now.
Alternatively: Paused / Waiting still
12. On standby
Meaning: Ready to go, but still waiting.
For Example: We’re on standby for the game to start. / He stayed on standby for his turn to present.
Alternatively: Ready but waiting / On call
13. At a standstill
Meaning: Completely stopped.
For Example: Our group project is at a standstill. / The ride is at a standstill due to rain.
Alternatively: Not moving / Frozen
14. Sit tight
Meaning: Stay in place and wait.
For Example: Sit tight until the teacher comes back. / We sat tight during the storm.
Alternatively: Stay where you are / Don’t move
15. In the queue
Meaning: In line, waiting for your turn.
For Example: I’m in the queue to use the computer. / She waited in the queue for the water slide.
Alternatively: In line / Next in turn
16. Wait in the wings
Meaning: Ready to act, but waiting.
For Example: He’s waiting in the wings for his part in the play. / I waited in the wings before it was my turn.
Alternatively: Stand by / Be ready
17. Marking time
Meaning: Doing little things while waiting.
For Example: I was marking time until my ride came. / We marked time by doodling.
Alternatively: Passing time / Just waiting
18. Take a rain check
Meaning: Delay something to a later time.
For Example: I’ll take a rain check on the sleepover. / She took a rain check on the movie.
Alternatively: Do it later / Not now
19. Cool your heels
Meaning: Wait, usually because you must.
For Example: I had to cool my heels in the office. / He cooled his heels until the teacher arrived.
Alternatively: Wait around / Sit and wait
20. Up in the air
Meaning: Not decided yet.
For Example: Our vacation plans are up in the air. / The field trip is still up in the air.
Alternatively: Unsure / Not clear yet
21. Watch the clock
Meaning: Keep looking at the time while waiting.
For Example: I kept watching the clock during class. / She watched the clock before the bell rang.
Alternatively: Check the time a lot / Count down
22. In suspense
Meaning: Waiting nervously for something to happen.
For Example: I was in suspense waiting for the test results. / We were in suspense before the surprise.
Alternatively: Anxious waiting / Nervous
23. On edge
Meaning: Feeling nervous while waiting.
For Example: I was on edge before my turn to speak. / She was on edge waiting for her score.
Alternatively: Nervous / Tense
24. Just around the corner
Meaning: Something will happen very soon.
For Example: Spring break is just around the corner. / Your turn is just around the corner.
Alternatively: Coming soon / Almost here
25. Wait forever
Meaning: It feels like the wait is very long.
For Example: I had to wait forever at the dentist. / We waited forever for the school bus.
Alternatively: Too long / Felt endless
26. Keep someone waiting
Meaning: Make someone wait longer than expected.
For Example: Sorry I kept you waiting! / Don’t keep the teacher waiting.
Alternatively: Delay someone / Make someone wait
27. In the meantime
Meaning: While waiting, something else happens.
For Example: In the meantime, I played a board game. / Do your homework in the meantime.
Alternatively: While we wait / For now
28. Left hanging
Meaning: Not knowing what will happen next.
For Example: The book ended and left me hanging! / I was left hanging without an answer.
Alternatively: No ending / Waiting for more
29. Wait it out
Meaning: Keep waiting until something is over.
For Example: We had to wait it out during the storm. / I waited it out until the noise stopped.
Alternatively: Stay and wait / Stick with it
30. On pins and needles
Meaning: Very nervous while waiting.
For Example: I was on pins and needles before my turn. / She was on pins and needles waiting for the prize.
Alternatively: Super anxious / Jumping inside
31. Until the cows come home
Meaning: For a very long time.
For Example: You could wait until the cows come home and still not see change. / He played games until the cows came home.
Alternatively: A very long wait / Forever
32. Hang in there
Meaning: Stay patient during a hard wait.
For Example: Hang in there, the show will start soon. / Just hang in there while we wait.
Alternatively: Be strong / Stay patient
33. At the last minute
Meaning: Right before something happens.
For Example: He showed up at the last minute. / I packed my bag at the last minute.
Alternatively: Just in time / Barely made it
34. Ticking away
Meaning: Time is passing.
For Example: The minutes were ticking away during the test. / I felt the time ticking away while waiting.
Alternatively: Time passing / Time moving
35. Time crawls
Meaning: Time feels very slow.
For Example: Time crawled during the long speech. / It felt like time was crawling before lunch.
Alternatively: Very slow / Felt endless
36. Waiting game
Meaning: A time when you just have to wait.
For Example: It’s a waiting game with this rain. / We’re stuck playing the waiting game.
Alternatively: Just wait / Nothing we can do
37. Time will tell
Meaning: We have to wait to see the result.
For Example: Time will tell if our team wins. / Time will tell if this idea works.
Alternatively: Let’s wait and see / Be patient
38. Beat the clock
Meaning: Finish before time runs out.
For Example: I beat the clock on my homework! / Can we beat the clock before the bell?
Alternatively: Win against time / Finish fast
39. In due time
Meaning: Something will happen when it’s the right time.
For Example: You’ll get your turn in due time. / Your reward will come in due time.
Alternatively: Be patient / Wait a bit longer
40. Down the line
Meaning: Something will happen later.
For Example: We’ll do that down the line. / Your chance will come down the line.
Alternatively: In the future / Later on
True/False Quiz: Idioms for Waiting
- “Hold your horses” means you should run quickly.
True / False - If something is “in the pipeline,” it means it’s already finished.
True / False - “On hold” means something is not happening right now.
True / False - When someone is “counting the minutes,” they are excited or bored while waiting.
True / False - “Sit tight” means you should stay where you are and wait.
True / False - If something is “just around the corner,” it will happen soon.
True / False - Saying “cool your heels” means to rush and finish fast.
True / False - If your plans are “up in the air,” it means everything is clear and decided.
True / False - “In the meantime” means something that happens after everything is done.
True / False - “Play the waiting game” means you are doing something active, like sports.
True / False
Answer Key
- False
- False
- True
- True
- True
- True
- False
- False
- False
- 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
Waiting can feel boring, but there are many fun ways to talk about it. People use idioms to describe different kinds of waiting slow waiting, nervous waiting, or waiting with hope. These phrases help us share how we feel.
Now that you know these idioms, try using them in your everyday talk or writing. Whether you’re waiting for the weekend or your favorite food, there’s an idiom to help you say it. Keep learning, and words will become even more fun and clear.
