in limbo

1. In a spiritual state between heaven and hell after death. He was terrified that he would be trapped in limbo if a priest didn't hear his final confession before he died. I did a lot of bad things when I was younger, so I doubt I'm going upstairs when I die. I'll be in limbo at best. Al's never cared much about religion, but now that he's sick, he's determined not to be in limbo when he dies.

2. In a precarious, indefinite, or suspended state or condition in which the outcome is uncertain. The officer looking after my case quit recently, so my application has been stuck in limbo. We're kind of in limbo out here until the French authorities reopen the airports. A: "What's going on with this office?" B: "Things are still in limbo, sir. IT hasn't been able to come down and set up that new connection yet."

See also: limbo

*in limbo

1. Lit. a region of the afterlife on the border of hell. (In some Christian religions, there is a limbo set aside for souls that do not go to either heaven or hell. This sense is used only in this religious context. *Typically: be ~; remain ~; stay ~.) The baby's soul was in limbo because she had not been baptized.

2. Fig. in a state of neglect; in a state of oblivion; in an indefinite state; on hold. (*Typically: be ~; leave something ~; put something ~.) We'll have to leave the project in limbo for a month or two. After I got hit on the head, I was in limbo for about ten minutes.

See also: limbo

in limbo

1. In a condition of oblivion or neglect, as in They kept her application in limbo for months. [Early 1600s]

2. An intermediate or transitional state, as in After his editor left the firm, his book was in limbo. [Early 1600s] Both usages allude to the theological meaning of limbo, that is, a place outside hell and heaven to which unbaptized infants and the righteous who died before Christ's coming were traditionally consigned.

See also: limbo

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

in ˈlimbo

in a state of uncertainty or between two states: We’re in limbo at the moment because we’ve finished our work in this country and now we’re waiting for our next contract. ♢ Our plans for renting an apartment in Spain are in limbo at the moment.In some Christian beliefs, limbo is a state that is neither heaven nor hell, where some souls live.

See also: limbo

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

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References in periodicals archive

Dreams are invaded and they must fight to save not only there physical bodies which have been frozen in a trancelike state, but also their souls which wander alone trapped In Limbo.'

Further details of In limbo can be found at www.inlimboshortfilm and details of the upcoming films from Nine Ladies Film can be found at www.nineladiesfilm.com, this includes the new horror short The Telephone, the second film in the trilogy of planned horror shorts.

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In addition, deterrent measures such as reduced welfare benefits, detentions, and dispersion across the country have been introduced, including a controversial attempt to deny benefits to anyone seeking asylum "incountry." Richmond concludes that barriers such as Britain imposes on asylum seekers, tellingly similar to those in other countries, create more refugees in limbo, as they search for a safe haven somewhere in the world.

The latter are determined to be refugees, but are not given permanent protection and are left in limbo. What is insightful about this article is its theoretical discussion of the impact of public rhetoric and the sense of belonging for those in limbo.

Betwixt and between: refugees and stateless persons in limbo

In Limbo is performed by Classworks Theatre, on April 20, at 7.30pm.

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DARREN Magee has revealed his immediate future with the Dublin team is in limbo.

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(A sardonic friend suggested jokingly writing a thesis titled, "Do kids have fun in limbo?")

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As other clubs prepare for the January transfer window, Levein admitted his plans are in limbo until the issue has been resolved.

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