biding time before

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "biding time before" is not correct; it should be "biding time before." You can use it when referring to the act of waiting or delaying action until a more favorable time.
Example: "He was biding time before making a decision on the job offer."

News & Media

The Guardian - Sport

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

That might be the Brazilian's way of showing he knows his place in the pecking order in Catalonia and that he is biding time before seeking a leading role.

The New York Times - Sports

Defiant until the last, Jackson saw himself as merely biding time before he would qualify for Queensland's Sheffield Shield side and then force his way back into the Test team to face Jardine's MCC tourists.

The Guardian - Sport

In fact, the co-writers Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee don't make it a fair or even particularly interesting tussle: the robustness of Mr. Troughton's performance notwithstanding, one is left biding time before Drummond's rhetorical harpoons start puncturing their recipient, Mr. Spacey's swooping vocals threatening to devour the entire jury whole.

The New York Times - Arts

The atmosphere shifted from home to house and we were biding time before the outcome concluded in divorce.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

But working to bide time before your preferred job becomes available presents more problems than hard work and low pay.

Vice

Agency: Karmarama Director: Jim Gilchrist Viking warriors lurk in the undergrowth, biding their time – before suddenly launching themselves at an enemy tribe with a ferocious roar.

The Guardian

They know who they are, don't you, Elton?" John would bide his time before hitting back.

The Guardian - Music

Liverpool are biding their time before deciding their next move.

Independent

Others are biding their time before attempting to cross the border.

The Washington Post

And sometimes it lies in wait, biding its time before stating its case.

The New York Times - Food

Other activists were biding their time before mounting a response to Trump's election.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "biding time before", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being waited for. This adds clarity and purpose to the action of waiting.

Common error

Avoid using "biding time before" without specifying the intended action or goal. Vague usage weakens the sentence and leaves the reader questioning the purpose of the delay.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "biding time before" functions as a modifier, indicating a temporary state of inactivity or waiting in anticipation of a future event or action. Ludwig examples show it used across various contexts to describe strategic delays.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "biding time before" is used to express a strategic delay, waiting for a more opportune moment to act. While Ludwig AI marks that it should be "biding time before," it appears that the sentence meaning is still correct. Its usage spans news, business, and general contexts, with a neutral to professional register. Though relatively rare, its meaning is consistently understood. When employing the phrase, ensure clarity about the intended action or event that is being waited for.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

awaiting the right timing

Emphasizes the importance of choosing the correct moment to act.

holding off until

Implies a deliberate decision to postpone action until a specific condition is met.

waiting for the opportune moment

Focuses on the 'opportunity' aspect of waiting, implying readiness to act when the time is right.

marking time until

Emphasizes the passage of time while waiting, often suggesting a lack of meaningful activity.

keeping options open until

Highlights the flexibility and adaptability of waiting before committing to a specific course of action.

pausing in anticipation of

Highlights the expectation and excitement associated with the upcoming event or decision.

hanging back until

Suggests a reluctance to participate until others have taken the lead.

remaining patient until

Stresses the need for patience and restraint while waiting for the desired outcome.

laying low until

Suggests concealing oneself or one's intentions while waiting for a more favorable situation.

taking a breather before

Indicates a pause for rest or recovery before resuming activity.

FAQs

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

Use "biding time before" to indicate a period of waiting or delay before a specific event or action. For example, "The company is "biding time before" launching its new product."

What are some alternatives to "biding time before"?

Alternatives include "awaiting the right timing", "marking time until", or "holding off until", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to specify what someone is "biding time before"?

While not always grammatically required, specifying what someone is "biding time before" greatly improves clarity and provides context for the action of waiting. Omitting it can make the sentence vague.

What is the difference between ""biding time before"" and "procrastinating"?

"Biding time before" suggests a strategic delay with a specific purpose in mind, while "procrastinating" implies delaying or postponing tasks without a clear reason or plan, often due to laziness or avoidance.