wait one's turn
Stand in line
To wait one's turn is to hold back until the proper moment arrives, letting others go first according to sequence or protocol.
The phrase implies patience and fairness—queuing for service, waiting to speak in a meeting, or biding time before taking action.
The children learned to wait their turn on the slide.
To refuse to wait one's turn is to cut in line, literally or figuratively.
- standUpright support structure
- courtesyRespectful, considerate behavior
- good mannersSocially acceptable conduct
- lineContinuous mark or queue
- alternationSequential interchange of elements
pause · justice · queue · fidget · politeness · endurance · shuffle · reciprocity · ticket · decorum · patience is a virtue · bide your time · perseverance · restraint · composure · number · first come first served · bench
wait one's turncut in line
Enter queue improperly
jump the queue · barge in · butt in · push in · muscle in
wait one's turnpush ahead
take matters into one's own hands · jump the gun · force one's way · seize the moment · assert oneself
wait, turn, waits, waited, waiting, waiter, waitress, turns, turned