biding time until

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "biding time until" is incorrect; it should be "biding" instead of "biding." You can use it when referring to waiting for a specific event or moment to take action. Example: "She was biding her time until the right opportunity arose." Alternative expressions include "waiting for" and "killing time until."

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Still, Mr. Reed said of his father, "In his mind, I'm just biding time until I decide to jump into a better profession".

The New York Times

So all the time Blair gave to backing Trimble he was merely treading water, biding time until the IRA could see the whites of Paisley's eyes.

The Guardian - Opinion

Within the Taliban, a fierce debate is under way between commanders who support talks and those who have never given up on seeking military victory, instead biding time until the Americans are mostly gone, Taliban watchers say.

The New York Times

Avoid raising it while biding time until you can move out or trade rooms and bring in a "mess-lover".

WikiHow

But why not Delaware, next door, where the 17 inmates on death row are still biding time until their lethal injections?

The New York Times

Investors looking for hints on the economy's direction may simply be biding time until they can get a look at earnings from Procter & Gamble, which reports tomorrow before the bell.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Although the Islanders (14-17-7) haveteranher veteran goaltender, Martin Biron, to help them bide time until DiPietro returns, Roloson has become their savior, enabling a young and often offensively challenged team stay, for now, within reach of a playoff berth.

The New York Times - Sports

It may have been conceived as a stopgap, a way to bide time until the brain's role in psychological suffering has been elucidated, but in the meantime, expert consensus about appearances has become the cornerstone of the profession, one that psychiatrists are reluctant to yank out, lest the entire edifice collapse.

The New Yorker

They are only biding their time until political conditions allow them to once again cut taxes.

The New York Times

The farmers seemed to be biding their time until the heavy stuff was put up.

The New Yorker

"I was just biding my time until we turned for home.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "biding time until" to convey a sense of strategic waiting, where someone is intentionally delaying action to gain an advantage or until circumstances are more favorable.

Common error

Avoid using "biding time until" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more direct and professional alternatives like "waiting for" or "anticipating" to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "biding time until" functions as a temporal connector, indicating a period of waiting that precedes a specific event or action. This is evident from Ludwig examples where the phrase links a state of waiting with a future occurrence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "biding time until" serves as a temporal connector expressing strategic patience or intentional delay before a specific event or action. It is considered acceptable, though not the most formal, and is most frequently used in news and media contexts. Alternatives include "marking time until" or "treading water until". While grammatically sound and consistently used across authoritative sources, be mindful of overusing it in formal contexts. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is valid but should be used with consideration of the surrounding text and audience. Using "biding time until" effectively involves understanding its connotation of strategic waiting and choosing it when that nuance is intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Marking time until

Expresses waiting but emphasizes the lack of progress during the waiting period.

Treading water until

Implies making minimal effort to stay afloat while waiting for a better opportunity or change.

Holding back until

Highlights the act of intentionally restraining oneself from acting until the opportune moment.

Awaiting the moment for

Formally expresses waiting for a specific event or time to take place.

Staying put until

Focuses on remaining in the current position or state until a change occurs.

Lying in wait for

Suggests a more strategic and potentially opportunistic form of waiting.

Keeping a low profile until

Emphasizes avoiding attention while waiting for the right time to act.

Cooling heels until

An idiomatic way of saying waiting idly or impatiently.

Stalling until

Implies delaying action intentionally until a desired condition is met.

Postponing action until

Highlights the act of delaying any decision or action till a specific time or condition.

FAQs

What does "biding time until" mean?

It means waiting patiently for the right opportunity or moment to take action. It suggests a strategic delay rather than simple inactivity.

What can I say instead of "biding time until"?

You can use alternatives like "marking time until", "treading water until", or "awaiting the moment for" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "biding my time"?

Yes, "biding my time" is a correct and common idiomatic expression, meaning waiting for the right opportunity to do something.

How to use "biding time until" in a sentence?

For example: "The company is "biding time until" the economy improves before launching its new product."