lying in wait
Concealed and ready
Lying in wait is positioning oneself in concealment to ambush someone, typically with harmful intent: The muggers were lying in wait in the alley.
In legal contexts, it often indicates premeditation—a killer who lies in wait has planned the attack rather than acting spontaneously.
The phrase also works figuratively for any hidden threat or trap: Problems were lying in wait for the new administration.
- hidingStaying out of sight
- concealmentAct of hiding something
- under coverOperating in concealment
- ambushSurprise strike from concealment
- stakeoutProlonged covert observation
lurking · laying low · trap · stalk · on the prowl · malice aforethought · pounce · snare · premeditation · vigilance · dry-gulching · surprise attack · bushwhack · camouflage · patience · readiness · watch · prey
- ambushambuscade, bushwhack, sneak attack, surprise attack, trap
- anticipationanticipating, expectation, expectancy, expecting, awaiting
- pursuit tacticschasing, pursuing, hot pursuit, giving chase, following
- criminal intentmens rea, guilty mind, criminal intent, intent, malice aforethought
lying in waitout in the open
Visible to everyone
in plain sight · exposed · unconcealed · in full view · revealed
lying in waitgiving chase
Actively following to catch
in pursuit · on the move · charging · advancing · closing in