Definitions

bide one's time

VERB

mark time

Synonyms

WEAK

abide bide cool one's heels pass time queue up tread water wait

VERB

sit tight

Synonyms

STRONGEST

stick around

WEAK

anticipate cool it fill time hang around hang out hold on hold the phone keep your shirt on lie in wait lie low linger mark time put on hold stall stand by stay put

VERB

tread water

Synonyms

WEAK

bide coast float mark time

VERB

wait

Synonyms

STRONGEST

await delay expect hang linger remain stand by stay stick around watch

STRONG

abide anticipate bide dally foresee stall tarry

WEAK

cool it fill time hang around hang onto your hat hang out hold back hold everything hold on hold the phone hole up keep shirt on lie in wait lie low look for look forward to mark time put on hold save it sit tight sit up for stay up for sweat it

Antonyms

STRONGEST

advance go hurry leave rush

STRONG

carry on move

WEAK

carry out do forge forward go ahead

VERB

wait and see

Synonyms

WEAK

lie low play a waiting game tread water

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Her tactics even earned their own verb: “Merkeln,” meaning to dither or bide one’s time.

From Washington Post • Oct. 22, 2021

Her approach even earned its own verb: “Merkeln,” meaning to dither or bide one’s time.

From Washington Post • Sep. 23, 2021

To bide one's time may mean a considerable saving.

From The Complete Home by Laughlin, Clara E. (Clara Elizabeth)