hanging fire
Suspended in uncertainty
Hanging fire means delayed or unresolved, held in suspense awaiting action or decision: The proposal has been hanging fire for months.
The phrase comes from firearms—when gunpowder ignites slowly, the gun "hangs fire" before discharging.
The image extends to any situation stalled between initiation and completion: Several projects are hanging fire until we get approval.
Staying until something arrives
- postponementDelaying to later
- defermentAuthorized delay of obligation
- holdupTheft by threat
- suspensionTemporary halt or exclusion
abeyance · moratorium · standstill · pending · stalling · protraction · hiatus · pause
Failure to decide
- vacillationInability to choose
- ditheringProlonged indecisive hesitation
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- foot-draggingDeliberate slowness or resistance
shilly-shallying · procrastination · dawdling · tarrying · equivocation · reluctance · stalling · temporizing
State of awaiting something
- uncertaintyState of being unsure
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- tensionStretched or strained state
- uneaseMild persistent worry
apprehension · nervousness · doubt · limbo · unsettled · unresolved · edginess · restlessness
- flintlockFlint-sparked firearm mechanism
- musketMuzzle-loaded infantry firearm
- primingMaking ready beforehand
- fuseProtective melting wire
ignition · gunpowder · flash pan · slow match · detonation · cartridge · black powder
awaiting
Staying until something arrives
- postponementDelaying to later
- defermentAuthorized delay of obligation
- holdupTheft by threat
suspension · abeyance · moratorium · standstill · pending · stalling · protraction · hiatus · pause · intermission
indecision
Failure to decide
- vacillationInability to choose
- ditheringProlonged indecisive hesitation
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
foot-dragging · shilly-shallying · procrastination · dawdling · tarrying · equivocation · reluctance · stalling · temporizing · hedging
anticipation
State of awaiting something
- uncertaintyState of being unsure
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- tensionStretched or strained state
unease · apprehension · nervousness · doubt · limbo · unsettled · unresolved · edginess · restlessness · waiting game
delayed discharge
- flintlockFlint-sparked firearm mechanism
- musketMuzzle-loaded infantry firearm
- primingMaking ready beforehand
fuse · ignition · gunpowder · flash pan · slow match · detonation · cartridge · black powder
hanging firesettled
No longer in question
decided · resolved · concluded · determined · finalized
hanging firemoving forward
Continuing toward a goal
proceeding · advancing · in full swing · underway · full steam ahead
hang, fire, hangs, hung, hanging, hanger, hangers, hangings, overhang