to bide

Examples

• All

• While the negotiations were stalled, she chose to bide her time and observe the situation.

• After the setback, they understood it was best to bide their time before making any big decisions.

• But I can bide my time.

  Monsoon Tide (2015)

• We just bide our time.

  The Inheritance (2024)

• Amy must bide her time and return later.

  Little Women (1994)

• I decided to bide my time until class changes could be made at the semester break.

  Academic text (2004)

• In the midst of his confusion, he was determined to be calm and bide his time.

  Fiction book (1997)

• Clearly, she had some sort of agenda to discuss and was just biding her time.

  Fiction book (2001)

• They’ll bide their time and wait until she weakens.

  March of the Dinosaurs (2011)

• She's biding her time.

  Nightbitch (2024)

Synonyms

W

to wait

vsto bide

∞ 1.0

To stay in one place or delay action until something happens

focuses on patient timing to act at the right opportunity rather than merely delaying

A

to await

vsto bide

522 3.2

To wait for something with hope or excitement

focuses on patient timing to act rather than eager expectation for an event

W

to wait in the wings

vsto bide

11 5.8

To be ready to take a job or role when a chance comes

emphasizes patient timing to act at the right moment rather than active readiness

B

to bide one's time

vsto bide

• Informal

7.5

Wait for a good chance before acting

has identical meaning but is an idiomatic phrase rather than a single word

Idioms

B

to bide one's time

• Informal

7.5

Wait for a good chance before acting

How Long

to linger

207 3.7

to bide

23 7.4

to wait

∞ 1.0

to pause

346 1.0

Surface Forms

Etymology