bide one's time
verb
Roget 133:
be late
etc.
adj.;
tarry,
wait,
stay,
bide,
take time;
dawdle
etc.
(be inactive)
683;
linger,
loiter;
bide one's time,
take one's time;
gain time;
hang fire;
stand over,
lie over.
put off,
defer,
delay,
lay over,
suspend;
table [Parl.];
shift off,
stave off;
waive,
retard,
remand,
postpone,
adjourn;
procrastinate;
dally;
prolong,
protract;
spin out,
draw out,
lengthen out,
stretch out;
prorogue;
keep back;
tide over;
push to the last,
drive to the last;
let the matter stand over;
reserve
etc.
(store)
636;
temporize;
consult one's pillow,
sleep on it.
lose an opportunity
etc.
135;
be kept waiting,
dance attendance;
kick one's heels,
cool one's heels;
faire antichambre [Fr.];
wait impatiently;
await
etc.
(expect)
507;
sit up,
sit up at night.
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Roget 681:
not do,
not act,
not attempt;
be inactive
etc.
683;
abstain from doing,
do nothing,
hold,
spare;
not stir,
not move,
not lift a finger,
not lift a foot,
not lift a peg;
fold one's arms,
fold one's hands;
leave alone,
let alone;
let be,
let pass,
let things take their course,
let it have its way,
let well alone,
let well enough alone;
quieta non movere [Lat.];
stare super antiquas vias [Lat.];
rest and be thankful,
live and let live;
lie rest upon one's oars;
laisser aller [Fr.],
faire [Fr.];
stand aloof;
refrain
etc.
(avoid)
623,
keep oneself from doing;
remit one's efforts,
relax one's efforts;
desist
etc.
(relinquish)
624;
stop
etc.
(cease)
142;
pause
etc.
(be quiet)
265.
wait,
lie in wait,
bide one's time,
take time,
tide it over.
cool one's heels,
kick one's heels;
while away the time,
while away tedious hours;
pass the time,
fill up the time,
beguile the time;
talk against time;
let the grass grow under one's feet;
waste time
etc.
(inactive)
683.
lie by,
lie on the shelf,
lie in ordinary,
lie idle,
lie to,
lie fallow;
keep quiet,
slug;
have nothing to do,
whistle for want of thought.
undo,
do away with;
take down,
take to pieces;
destroy
etc.
162.
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Roget 507:
expect;
look for,
look out for,
look forward to;
hope for;
anticipate;
have in prospect,
have in contemplation;
keep in view;
contemplate,
promise oneself;
not wonder at
etc.
870,
not wonder if.
wait for,
tarry for,
lie in wait for,
watch for,
bargain for;
keep a good lookout for,
keep a sharp lookout for;
await;
stand at 'attention'"
abide,
bide one's time,
watch.
foresee
etc.
510;
prepare for
etc.
673;
forestall
etc.
(be early)
132;
count upon
etc.
(believe in)
484;
think likely
etc.
(probability)
472.
lead one to expect
etc.
(predict)
511;
have in store for
etc.
(destiny)
152.
prick up one's ears,
hold one's breath.
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