waited in the wings
Prepared behind scenes
To wait in the wings is to stand ready for one's turn, prepared but not yet called upon.
The phrase comes from theater, where performers wait just offstage—in the wings—before their entrance.
Figuratively, it describes anyone positioned to step into a role when the moment arrives: Several candidates waited in the wings for the CEO position.
- expectantAwaiting something foreseen
- preparedMade ready beforehand
- standing byReady to act
- understudyBackup actor, ready nightly
- second stringSubstitute players, not starters
bench warmer · poised · heir · heir apparent · substitute · successor · candidate · shadow · hopeful · backstage · in the background · biding time · vigilant · protégé · primed · restrained · alert · watchful
waited in the wingscenter stage
Position of maximum attention
in the spotlight · in the limelight · front and center · stole the show · on display
waited in the wingstook action
Responded with effort
stepped up · jumped in · took charge · got involved · took the lead
waited in the wingstook the stage
arrived · emerged · debuted · rose to the occasion · came into one's own
wait, waited, waiting, waits, waiter, waiters, waitress, waitresses, wing