ready to bide time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ready to bide time" is not correct in standard English.
The correct expression is "ready to bide one's time," which means to wait patiently for the right moment to act. Example: "She was ready to bide her time, knowing that the opportunity would eventually present itself."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

But with the former Everton manager seemingly ready to bide his time over that particular conundrum, there are other concerns that need his attention at Old Trafford.

Independent

Peterborough United striker Jonson Clarke-Harris is ready to bide his time for a first-team place as he looks to make the step up to Championship level.

BBC

Oxford United are ready to bide their time in the search for a new manager, with David Unsworth out of the running.

BBC

To bide time was to think.

The New Yorker

Very often it's to bide time.

Forbes

Xi may be able to bide time on this and wait Trump out.

Forbes

Why did China need to conceal capacities, and bide time to do what?

Bandung: Journal of the Global South

But Mr Capello says I'm not ready so I'll just have to bide my time and try to be prepared for whenever I do get a chance".

The Guardian - Sport

If I need to bide my time, I will bide my time.

Independent

You have to bide your time, strike when the moment comes and then bide your time again and stay calm".

The Guardian - Sport

His instinct was to bide his time.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the correct idiom "bide your time" to convey the meaning of waiting patiently for an opportunity. For example: "He was ready to bide his time, knowing the perfect moment would eventually arise."

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "ready to bide time" as it is grammatically incorrect. The correct idiomatic expression is "bide your time", which includes a possessive pronoun. Substituting with alternatives such as "prepared to wait" or "willing to be patient" might also improve clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ready to bide time" is an incorrect phrasing of the idiomatic expression. The correct expression, "bide your time", functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of waiting patiently. According to Ludwig AI, the construction is not standard English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ready to bide time" is flagged by Ludwig AI as an incorrect phrasing. The proper idiomatic expression is "bide your time", which signifies waiting patiently for an opportune moment. It's crucial to include the possessive pronoun ('your', 'his', 'her', 'their', etc.) when using this idiom. When aiming for clarity and grammatical accuracy, consider substituting it with alternatives like "prepared to wait" or "willing to be patient". Remember, effective communication hinges on using correct and easily understood language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prepared to wait

Focuses on the willingness to wait, omitting the 'bide time' aspect.

willing to be patient

Emphasizes patience as a characteristic, rather than a specific action.

ready to wait it out

Adds the nuance of enduring a situation until it resolves.

prepared to hold back

Implies restraint and not taking action prematurely.

willing to sit tight

Suggests a passive approach to waiting.

ready to take a wait-and-see approach

Highlights the strategic aspect of observing before acting.

prepared to play the waiting game

Introduces the idea of a deliberate strategy of waiting.

willing to remain inactive

Focuses on the lack of action during the waiting period.

ready to exercise patience

Emphasizes the active effort required to be patient.

prepared to defer action

Highlights the postponement of action until a later time.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "ready to bide time"?

The correct idiomatic expression is "ready to bide one's time". For example, "She was ready to bide her time, knowing that the opportunity would eventually present itself."

What does "bide your time" mean?

"Bide your time" means to wait patiently for a favorable opportunity or moment to act.

Are there alternatives to "bide your time"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "wait patiently", "hold back", or "take your time" depending on the context.

How can I use "bide your time" in a sentence?

You can use "bide your time" in a sentence like this: "He decided to bide his time and observe the situation before making a move."