limbo
Awaiting a decision
Limbo has two distinct origins.
One is a region on the edge of hell in Catholic theology, where unbaptized souls dwell—neither damned nor saved.
This gives rise to the figurative sense of an uncertain in-between state: The project is in limbo until we get funding.
The other limbo is a West Indian dance where participants bend backward to pass under a progressively lowered bar: How low can you go?
Not exactly known
- unresolvedLacking final determination
- indefiniteNot precisely determined
- in-betweenOccupying middle position
- pendingAwaiting resolution or decision
suspended · waiting · unclear · ambiguous · stuck · stalled · liminal · transitional
Place of temporary suffering
- unbaptizedNot ritually initiated
- original sinInherited spiritual corruption
- doctrineEstablished body of teachings
- salvationDeliverance from harm
damnation · grace · redemption · Dante · divine justice · catechism · theology · afterlife
Break in activity
- interregnumRulership gap period
- pauseTemporary cessation of activity
- gapUnfilled space between
- interludePause between sections
stopgap · transitional · temporary · provisional · holding · standstill · respite · lull
indeterminate
Not exactly known
- unresolvedLacking final determination
- indefiniteNot precisely determined
- in-betweenOccupying middle position
pending · suspended · waiting · unclear · ambiguous · stuck · stalled · liminal · transitional · nebulous
purgatory
Place of temporary suffering
- unbaptizedNot ritually initiated
- original sinInherited spiritual corruption
- doctrineEstablished body of teachings
salvation · damnation · grace · redemption · Dante · divine justice · catechism · theology · afterlife · souls
hiatus
Break in activity
- interregnumRulership gap period
- pauseTemporary cessation of activity
- gapUnfilled space between
interlude · stopgap · transitional · temporary · provisional · holding · standstill · respite · lull · interval
Caribbean
Tropical Atlantic region
- TrinidadCaribbean island near Venezuela
- calypsoAfro-Caribbean satirical music
- backbendArching spine rearward
underbar · bar · flexibility · party · competition · leaning · music · festive · steelpan · soca
- party gamescharades, musical statues, musical chairs, truth or dare, spin the bottle
- impassesimpasse, deadlock, stalemate, standstill, gridlock
- party entertainmentDJ, live band, live music, karaoke, dance floor
- other realmsotherworld, netherworld, spirit world, shadow realm, dream realm
- otherworldsotherworld, spirit world, spirit realm, higher plane, beyond
- time wordsminute, hour, day, now, soon
limbocertainty
Total absence of doubt
resolution · decision · conclusion · finality · certitude
limboprogress
Movement toward improvement
advancement · action · movement · momentum · forward motion
- out on a limbIn a risky position
- go out on a limbTake a risk
- going out on a limbRisking reputation for belief
- in limboState of uncertainty
- went out on a limbActed despite uncertain outcome
- gone out on a limbTaken a risky stance