biding their time

USAGE SUMMARY

"biding their time" is a legitimate and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means waiting patiently for the right moment to take action. Example: The thieves were biding their time, carefully scoping out the bank's security measures before planning their heist.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Are sellers biding their time?

Independent

So they're biding their time.

The New Yorker

They do not panic, biding their time.

The Guardian - Sport

Liverpool are biding their time before deciding their next move.

Independent

But the hardliners, it seemed, were merely biding their time.

The Economist

Other possible contenders have said they were biding their time.

The New York Times

They have been biding their time for three years.

The Guardian

Here they lie, biding their time, resting, waiting, aging.

The New York Times

I can feel them watching me, biding their time.

The Guardian - Books

They're connecting with the ball well and biding their time.

The Guardian - Sport

I know now they were only biding their time.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "biding their time" when you want to emphasize a deliberate and strategic period of waiting, often with an anticipation of future action. It suggests more than simply waiting; it implies preparation or planning during the interim.

Common error

Avoid using "biding their time" to describe situations where there is no intention or plan for future action. The phrase implies a purposefulness and anticipation that should be reflected in the surrounding context.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "biding their time" is as a verbal phrase within a clause, often functioning as part of the predicate. It describes an action of waiting strategically. Ludwig AI also confirms that it is a legitimate and commonly used phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Sport

13%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Reference

0%

Science

19%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "biding their time" is a commonly used and grammatically correct idiomatic expression that describes a strategic and patient period of waiting. Analysis of example sentences by Ludwig indicates it's used to convey anticipation of future action. The phrase is appropriate for a range of contexts, with a slight prevalence in news and media, as confirmed by Ludwig. Consider alternatives like "playing a waiting game" or "awaiting their moment" for nuanced expression. Remember, it's not mere passive waiting, but waiting with intent. Ludwig AI confirms its legitimacy and widespread usage, making it a valuable addition to one's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

awaiting their moment

Emphasizes the anticipation and readiness for a specific opportunity.

playing a waiting game

Suggests a strategic approach to waiting, where patience is used as a tactic.

sitting tight

Indicates a firm and unwavering stance while waiting for a resolution.

waiting it out

Implies enduring a period of waiting, often with a sense of resignation or inevitability.

remaining patient

Highlights the quality of patience exhibited during a period of waiting.

holding back

Implies restraint or suppression of action or emotion.

postponing action

Focuses on the deliberate act of delaying or deferring action.

lying in wait

Conveys a sense of secrecy or anticipation, often in a negative or threatening context.

marking time

Suggests engaging in activity that is not truly productive or meaningful while waiting for something else.

keeping a low profile

Highlights the act of remaining inconspicuous while waiting for an opportune moment.

FAQs

How can I use "biding their time" in a sentence?

You can use "biding their time" to describe someone waiting patiently for the right moment to act. For example, "The investors were "playing a waiting game", biding their time until the market conditions improved."

What does "biding their time" mean?

"Biding their time" means waiting patiently for a suitable opportunity to do something. It suggests a strategic delay rather than passive inaction. A good example is "The rebels were "lying in wait", biding their time before launching their attack."

Which is correct, "biding their time" or "bided their time"?

"Biding their time" is the correct present participle form, indicating an ongoing action. "Bided their time" is the past tense form. Choose the form that matches the intended tense of your sentence. For example, "They are "remaining patient", biding their time," versus "They "waited it out" and bided their time."

Are there other ways to express "biding their time"?

Yes, depending on the context, you could use phrases like "awaiting their moment", "marking time", or "keeping a low profile". Each alternative carries a slightly different nuance.