lying in wait

USAGE SUMMARY

"lying in wait" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is hiding in order to ambush someone else. For example, "The hunter hid in the woods, lying in wait for the deer to pass by."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

The gangsters, however, turned out to be undercover police officers lying in wait for Mr. Vega.

The New York Times

And Kamworor will be lying in wait.

The Guardian - Sport

Perhaps it was just lying in wait.

The New Yorker

Williams, lying in wait, cut in front of Roddy White.

The New York Times - Sports

More cameras, more tickets, more squad cars lying in wait.

The New Yorker

Still, incompatibilities proliferate, with many lying in wait like insurgents.

The New Yorker

There could be a disaster lying in wait.

The Guardian - Sport

The producer, himself indigenous, was lying in wait.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I'm lying in wait," said Leicester's chairman, Milan Mandaric.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Williams faces lying-in-wait enhancements that make him eligible for the death penalty, prosecutors said.

Los Angeles Times

But the ultimate betrayal lying in wait, presumably, for the final season will be history's.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lying in wait" to create a sense of suspense or anticipation in your writing. It's effective in describing situations where someone or something is secretly preparing for an action.

Common error

Avoid using "lying in wait" when there is no intention of proactive engagement. The phrase implies a deliberate act of concealment for a specific purpose, not simply being present in a hidden location.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lying in wait" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as an adverbial modifier to describe the manner in which an action is performed. It describes a state of preparedness and concealment before an action, such as an attack or an ambush. Ludwig AI confirms this is a valid phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lying in wait" is a grammatically sound and frequently used gerund phrase that describes a state of being hidden while anticipating an action, often an ambush or strategic move. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable. Its usage spans various contexts, most prominently in news and media, reflecting its capacity to create suspense and anticipation. While it is generally neutral in register, it is essential to use it with the understanding that it implies a deliberate act of concealment for a specific purpose. Alternative phrases such as "lying in ambush" or "lurking" can be used to vary your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lying in ambush

Replaces "wait" with "ambush", emphasizing the element of surprise attack.

lying in ambush

Synonymous, highlighting the act of concealing oneself to attack.

lying in concealment

Highlights the act of hiding and remaining unnoticed.

lurking

A single word denoting a hidden presence, ready to emerge.

remaining in a hidden position

Focuses on maintaining a concealed location.

in hiding

Focuses on the state of being hidden, often for protection or strategic advantage.

stationed secretly

Emphasizes the act of being placed in a secret location for a purpose.

concealed

A single word emphasizing the hidden and covered aspect of the action.

biding one's time

Shifts focus to the patience involved while waiting for an opportune moment.

in a state of readiness

Emphasizes preparedness and anticipation rather than the act of hiding.

FAQs

How can I use "lying in wait" in a sentence?

You can use "lying in wait" to describe someone or something that is hidden and waiting to ambush or take advantage of a situation. For example, "The predator was "lying in ambush", waiting for its prey".

What are some alternatives to "lying in wait"?

Alternatives include "lurking", "concealed", or "biding one's time", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "laying in wait" an acceptable alternative to "lying in wait"?

While "laying" can sometimes be confused with "lying", in this context, "lying in wait" is the grammatically correct and more widely accepted phrase to describe the act of being hidden and waiting.

What's the difference between "lying in wait" and simply "hiding"?

"Hiding" generally refers to concealing oneself, while "lying in wait" implies a specific intent to ambush or take advantage of a situation from a hidden position. It suggests a strategic element that is not always present in simply "in hiding".