bide time
Wait for opportunity
To bide time is to wait patiently for the right moment, often while quietly preparing or enduring unfavorable circumstances: She bided her time until the opportunity arose.
The phrase suggests strategic patience rather than passive waiting—holding back until conditions improve or an advantage presents itself.
- waitDelay until later
- patienceCalm during delays
- sit tightWait without acting
- lingerStay beyond necessity
- hold your breathStop breathing temporarily
delay · tarry · lie in wait · endure · wait it out · pause · hesitate · stall · hang fire · anticipate · watch and wait · hold · remain · holding pattern · idle · loiter · passing · clock
- doing nothingdo nothing, stand still, sit tight, stay put, keep still
- mindfulnessmindfulness, meditation, meditate, breathe, breath
- holding firmhold, hold fast, hold firm, hold on, hold onto
bide timerush in
Enter hastily and recklessly
seize the moment · jump the gun · spring into action · charge ahead · pounce
bide timethrow caution to the wind
Act recklessly, disregarding consequences
shoot from the hip · go off half-cocked · take the plunge · lose patience · overcommit
bide, time, bides, bided, biding, abide, abides, abided, abiding