bide one's time

/bˈaɪd wˈɒnz tˈaɪm/

/bˈaɪd wˈʌnz tˈaɪm/

[phrase]

to bide one's time

[PHRASE]

to patiently wait and avoid taking action until one finds a suitable or advantageous time

What is the origin of the idiom "make a go of something" and when to use it?

The idiom "bide one's time" has its origins in Middle English and dates back to the 14th century. The word "bide" in this context means "to wait" or "to remain." The phrase evolved from the Old English word "bidan," which means "to wait." It is commonly used when individuals or groups are waiting for the opportune moment to act or make a move.

Examples

1. When my former business partner betrayed me, I knew that revenge is a dish best served cold, so I bided my time and waited until the right moment to strike.

2. And then young Amleth bides his time and pretends to be crazy in order to lull his uncle into a false sense of security.

3. Maybe you even imagine the ungroomed pirate who’s been marooned on an island, biding his time before he unleashes a bold escape plan.

4. For the past decade, young Nero had been living with his mother, the two quietly biding their time.