on a/the waiting list

on a/the waiting list

On a list of other people waiting to do something, obtain something, enter into some place, or go some place. We're putting you on a waiting list for a new kidney, but I have to warn you that there are already a lot of people ahead of you. They didn't offer me a spot right away in next year's admissions, but the university said they'd put me on the waiting list.

See also: list, on, waiting

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

on the waiting list

 and on the wait list

[for someone's name to be] on a list of people waiting for an opportunity to do something. I couldn't get a seat on the plane, but I got on the waiting list. There is no room for you, but we can put your name on the waiting list.

See also: list, on, waiting

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.