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lie in wait

   Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.06 sec.
lie in wait
1. to stay hidden, ready to attack. Police said the suspect was lying in wait in a dark hallway. This person was found behind a wall, as if he were lying in wait for someone.
2. to delay doing something until the best time for it. The smart thing to do is lie in wait for the right time to ask for a raise.
Related vocabulary: lie low
See also: lie, wait
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? References in classic literature
These are obliged to proceed in armed caravans, and are subject to murderous attacks from bands of Pawnees, Camanches, and Blackfeet, that come scouring upon them in their weary march across the plains, or lie in wait for them among the passes of the mountains.
Astoria or Anecdotes of an enterprise beyond the Rocky Mountains by Irving, Washington View in context
It is strange how long some men will lie in wait to speak somewhat they desire to say; and how far about they will fetch; and how many other matters they will beat over, to come near it.
The Essays by Bacon, Sir Francis View in context
I might be walking down the track to the water-tank to lie in wait for a passing freight-train, when I would chance upon a bunch of "alki-stiffs.
John Barleycorn by London, Jack View in context
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