in the wings

Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Medical, Legal, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia

0.01 sec.

(wait) in the wings

to be ready to do something when the opportunity comes Other companies were waiting in the wings to sell similar drugs at much lower prices. The novel has sold well in the hardcover edition, and a paperback edition waits in the wings.

Etymology: based on the idea of an actor who waits in the wings (areas to each side of a stage) before appearing on stage

See also: wing

Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content.

?Page tools

Printer friendly
Cite / link

Feedback

References in classic literature	?		Idioms browser	?		Full browser	?
Doubleday has lately described (before the Entomological Society, March 3rd, 1845) a peculiar structure in the wings of this butterfly, which seems to be the means of its making its noise. The Voyage of the Beagle by Darwin, Charles View in context And after two or three hours the swallows began to get tired in the wings and short of breath. The Story of Doctor Dolittle by Lofting, Hugh View in context			in the same boat in the same breath in the same league in the scheme of things in the second place in the shadow of in the short run in the short term in the soup in the spotlight in the stretch in the strict sense in the swim of things in the teeth of in the thick of it in the toilet in the trust of in the twinkling of an eye in the unlikely event of in the vicinity of in the wake of in the way in the way of in the wilderness in the wind in the wings in the works in the world in the worst way in the wrong in the wrong place in the wrong place at the wrong time in the zone in theory in there pitching in these parts in this day and age in this regard in those parts in time in times past in token of in top form in total in touch in touch with in tow in transit in triplicate in trouble in truth			in the wake of in the wake of in the wake of In the Wake of Gods in the way in the way in the way in the way in the way of in the way of someone in the way of someone or something In the way with in the whole in the whole wide world in the whole wide world in the whole wide world in the whole wide world in the whole world in the whole world in the whole world in the whole world In the Wild In the Wild in the wilderness in the wind in the wind in the wind in the wind in the wind In the wind's eye in the wings in the wink of an eye in the wink of an eye in the wink of an eye in the wink of an eye in the works in the works in the works in the works in the works in the works in the world in the world in the world in the worst way in the worst way in the worst way in the wrong in the wrong In the wrong box in the wrong place in the wrong place in the wrong place at the wrong time in the year of grace in the year of grace in the year of grace in the year of grace In the year of our Lord In the year of our Lord In the year of our Lord 1 In the year of our Lord 1

Idioms and phrases

Free Tools:	For surfers: Free toolbar & extensions \| Word of the Day \| Help For webmasters: Free content \| Linking \| Lookup box \| Double-click lookup

Disclaimer
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.