cool one's heels
Be kept waiting
To cool one's heels is to wait, especially when forced to wait by someone else's delay or indifference.
The phrase suggests idle, restless waiting—standing around long enough for your feet to lose the warmth of walking: I cooled my heels in the lobby for an hour before anyone acknowledged me.
- impatienceIntolerance of delay
- hurry up and waitFrenzied action followed by delay
- twiddle one's thumbsBe idle, await action
- hold your horsesRequest for patience
- queueOrdered waiting line
sit tight · sit around · bide · delay · tarry · hold off · pause · hang around · anticipation · hang fire · anteroom · linger · await · kill time · waste time · frustration · idle · kick back