twiddle one's thumbs
Pass time unproductively
To twiddle one's thumbs is to rotate them around each other while the hands are clasped—an idle gesture that has come to mean waiting with nothing to do, being unproductive or bored: I've been twiddling my thumbs waiting for the contract to arrive.
The phrase often implies impatience or frustration at inactivity.
Weary disinterest from monotony
- restlessnessState of unease
- waitingRemaining in expectation
- impatienceIntolerance of delay
- inactivityLack of movement
killing time · doing nothing · loafing · lounging · dawdling · lazing · slacking · idling
State of awaiting something
- delayEnforced waiting period
- patienceCalm during delays
- limboState of uncertain waiting
- standbyReady substitute awaiting use
holding pattern · queue · pause · holdup · clockwatching · lingering · loitering · sitting around
boredom
Weary disinterest from monotony
- restlessnessState of unease
- waitingRemaining in expectation
- impatienceIntolerance of delay
inactivity · killing time · doing nothing · loafing · lounging · dawdling · lazing · slacking · idling · time-wasting
anticipation
State of awaiting something
standby · holding pattern · queue · pause · holdup · clockwatching · lingering · loitering · sitting around · cooling heels
twiddle one's thumbswork hard
Expend serious effort
get to work · hustle · toil · labor · keep busy
twiddle one's thumbstake action
Begin doing something
get things done · make progress · take charge · spring into action · apply oneself
twiddle one's thumbshustle
Energetic, aggressive action
bustle · keep busy · work hard · burn the midnight oil · run around