waiting in the wings
Poised for entrance
Waiting in the wings means ready to step in when needed or when opportunity arises.
The phrase comes from theater, where performers wait just offstage—in the wings—before their entrance.
It suggests someone prepared but not yet visible: Several candidates are waiting in the wings should the CEO resign.
The implication is often of ambition held in check.
- stageRaised performance platform
- stage leftTheater direction opposite audience's left
- behind the scenesOut of public view
- understudyBackup actor, ready nightly
- standing byReady to act
on deck · anticipation · hush · expectation · shadow · liminal space · breath · hold · preparedness · periphery · heir apparent · borderland · second-in-command · deputy · power behind the throne · threshold · substitute · cue
waiting in the wingscenter stage
Position of maximum attention
in the spotlight · in the limelight · front and center · in plain sight · headlining
waiting in the wingsin action
Actively performing a task
running the show · in the thick of it · taking action · hands-on · in full swing
waiting in the wingsexiting stage left
Leaving performance area leftward
bowing out · stepping down · past one's prime · washed up · yesterday's news
waiting, wings, waits, waited, waiter, waiters, waitress, waitresses, awaiting