Search
Waiting game
01
a strategy in which one deliberately refrains from taking any action in order to gain advantage later on
What is the origin of the idiom "waiting game" and when to use it?
The idiom "waiting game" is derived from the concept of waiting as if it were a game with rules and strategies. It refers to a situation in which someone must remain patient and endure a period of waiting for an outcome or resolution, often due to circumstances beyond their control. This idiom is used to refer to the idea of patience and the need to endure a delay or uncertainty.
Example
During a medical investigation, patients often find themselves in a waiting game as they await test results and a diagnosis.
Job seekers often play the waiting game after submitting applications, hoping for interview invitations.
Although most people were relieved that the waiting game was over, the first days and nights were nerve-racking.
Investors sometimes have to play the waiting game as they wait for the right market conditions to make profitable trades.
Lucy only wished that she could have more of the patience required to play a waiting game.
Nearby Words
Shareable cards
