waiting

big moment and moment everyone has been waiting for

the special time that everyone has been waiting for. The big moment has come. I will now announce the winner. This is the moment everyone has been waiting for. Now we will learn the name of the big winner.

See also: big, moment

I felt like a penny waiting for change.

Rur. I felt worthless or helpless. When I lost the race, I felt like a penny waiting for change. My best girl went off with someone else. I felt like a penny waiting for change.

See also: change, felt, like, penny

It's ill waiting for dead men's shoes.

Prov. You should not be eager for someone to die so that you inherit something. Phil: Why should I bother to learn some kind of trade? I'll be rich when Grandpa dies and leaves me all his money. Alan: It's ill waiting for dead men's shoes.

See also: dead, ill, shoe

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

waiting in the wings

Fig. ready or prepared to do something, especially to take over someone else's job or position. Mr. Smith retires as manager next year, and Mr. Jones is just waiting in the wings. Jane was waiting in the wings, hoping that a member of the hockey team would drop out and she would get a place on the team.

See also: wing

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an accident waiting to happen

a very dangerous situation in which an accident is very likely The speed that people drive along this road, it's an accident waiting to happen.

See also: accident, happen

be waiting in the wings

to be ready to be used or employed instead of someone or something else

Usage notes: In the theatre, the wings are the sides of the stage which cannot be seen by the people watching the play, where actors wait until it is their turn to walk on to the stage.

The rumour is that Green will be sacked and Brinkworth is waiting in the wings to take over as manager.

See play a waiting game

See also: wing

play a/the waiting game

to delay doing something so that you can see what happens or what other people do first Those investors who are willing to play the waiting game may find it to their advantage.

See also: game, play