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Glite Dictionary
to wait in the wings

to wait in the wings

11 5.8
To be ready to take a job or role when a chance comes
  • idiom
translation icon : esperar su oportunidad
  • Several talented actors were waiting in the wings, ready to take over the lead role if needed.
  • waiting in the wings for a chance
  • waiting in the wings, ready
  • waiting in the wings to replace

I have no doubt that there are many telescopes waiting in the wings to have their turn in the spotlight.

Examples

  • The star is waiting in the wings.

    Final Analysis (1992)

  • I bet you there's someone waiting in the wings.

    Another Happy Day (2011)

  • I have several sites waiting in the wings, should Google choose to down my primary.

    Blog text (4)

  • Could that be... the mystery guest waiting in the wings?

    Scream 2 (1997)

  • Hey, I'm just waiting in the wings like I always do for when he gets his heart broken again.

    The 10 Year Plan (2014)

  • Not when we had two semi-professionals waiting in the wings.

    Hot Fuzz (2007)

  • There seem to always be tyrants waiting in the wings for their opportunity.

    Blog text (6)

  • There are other Conservatives waiting in the wings who could better represent MO.

    Blog text (11)

  • I have no doubt that there are many telescopes waiting in the wings to have their turn in the spotlight.

    Dr. Becky

  • Once I've got that one going, I've got another project or two waiting in the wings.

    Blog text (15)

Synonyms

to bide
vsto wait in the wings
23 7.4

To wait patiently for the right time to act

is kept prepared and hidden until a chance to take a role appears
ready and waiting
vsto wait in the wings
7 3.0

Fully prepared and available to begin or help right away

remains out of sight waiting for a suitable opportunity
to bide one's time
vsto wait in the wings
  • Informal
7.5

Wait for a good chance before acting

is kept prepared to assume a role as soon as opportunity comes

Antonyms

to step forward
146 3.1

Volunteer to help or take responsibility

to step into the spotlight
  • Informal
1 5.1

Become the main focus of people's attention after doing something important

How Ready

poised
4.6
to wait in the wings
11 5.8
to stand by
503 2.6

Surface Forms

wait in the wings infinitive
waited in the wings past
waited in the wings past participle
waiting in the wings present participle
waits in the wings third person singular

Morphology

wait + in + the + wing

The phrase combines 'wait' with the spatial expression 'in the wings' (wings = side/stage area where performers wait), so a learner who knows the stage meaning of 'wings' can infer the idea of waiting offstage and being ready to step in. However, the transfer from a literal theatrical location to the broader figurative sense of being prepared to assume a role in non-theatrical contexts is a metaphorical extension and may not be fully predictable to all B1 learners, so it is only partially transparent.

Etymology

The idiom wait in the wings comes from the theater, where actors quietly wait in the wings, the side areas of the stage, until it is their turn to go on. So today it means 'to be ready and stay out of the spotlight' until the right moment.