wait it out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wait it out" is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase is typically used to say that one should endure a difficult or trying situation rather than trying to change it. For example: "The stock market has been volatile lately, so it's best to just wait it out and see what happens."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Can I wait it out?

The New York Times

"I will wait it out," he said.

The New York Times

Should I just wait it out?

Harvard Business Review

Or the patience to wait it out?

The New York Times - Arts

(Owners have more ability to wait it out).

The New Yorker

"We're just hanging out, trying to wait it out".

The New York Times

"I guess I can wait it out," he said.

The New York Times

6. Wait it out until the market turns around.

The New York Times

"We just have to wait it out," Mr. Isaly said.

The New York Times

"Now I just want to wait it out," he said.

The New York Times

"Wait it out?" Mr. Acosta said, heading for his car.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wait it out" when you believe a situation will improve or resolve itself with time and intervention is unnecessary or potentially harmful.

Common error

Avoid using "wait it out" as a substitute for proactive problem-solving. This phrase suggests a passive approach, which may be inappropriate when active measures are required to improve a situation. Recognize it implies acceptance and the idea that time by itself is enough to solve the problem.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wait it out" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating a decision to postpone action and instead passively endure a situation until it resolves itself. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wait it out" is a phrasal verb that suggests enduring a situation passively until it resolves. It is grammatically correct and commonly used, as affirmed by Ludwig AI, with frequent appearances in news and media contexts. When using the phrase, understand that while it is useful for describing a decision to postpone action, it is not necessarily the best strategy to tackle challenges that require proactive problem-solving, but is best used to imply acceptance and the idea that time by itself is enough to solve the problem. Consider related alternatives like "ride it out" or "sit tight" for subtle differences in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ride it out

Implies enduring a difficult period, often with a sense of passive acceptance.

sit tight

Suggests remaining in a current position and avoiding action until circumstances change.

hold your horses

An idiom that means to delay action or making a decision.

hang in there

Offers encouragement to persevere through a challenging time.

bide your time

Indicates waiting for an opportune moment to act.

stick it out

Suggests enduring a difficult situation to the end.

remain patient

Focuses on maintaining composure and delaying action.

play a waiting game

Emphasizes the strategy of waiting for a favorable outcome.

let things take their course

Involves allowing events to unfold naturally without intervention.

see how things pan out

Suggests observing events to understand the final result.

FAQs

How can I use "wait it out" in a sentence?

You can use "wait it out" to suggest enduring a difficult situation without taking action, hoping it will resolve on its own. For example, "The storm is bad now, but we can "wait it out" inside."

What does it mean to "wait it out"?

To "wait it out" means to endure a situation patiently until it ends or improves without intervening or taking action to change it. It implies trusting that time will resolve the issue.

What can I say instead of "wait it out"?

You can use alternatives like "ride it out", "sit tight", or "hang in there" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to "wait it out"?

It's appropriate to "wait it out" when you believe the situation is temporary, and intervention is unlikely to improve things or may even make them worse. It's a passive strategy best suited for short-term or unavoidable circumstances.