Bide time

Meaning

The idiom "bide time" means to wait patiently for something to happen or to refrain from taking action until a particular moment or opportunity arises. It implies that the person is not eager or anxious to do something, but rather is content to let things unfold in their own way.

Usage

• I told her to bide time and wait for the right opportunity to ask for a raise at work.
• The market is volatile right now, so it's better to bide time and not make any hasty investments.
• He was too eager to propose to her and should have bided his time to get to know her better first.
• We decided to bide time and not rush into the decision of moving to a new city.
• The company is going through some changes right now, so it's best to bide time and see how things settle out before making any major decisions.

Roots and History

The idiom "bide time" dates back to the Middle English language and comes from the Old Norse word "bjúðr." The meaning of this word was "to wait patiently" or "to yield to circumstances." In Old English, the word "bioden" was used with a similar meaning. Over time, the idiom has remained largely unchanged in its meaning and usage.

Synonyms in English

• Wait patiently
• Hold off on action
• Let things unfold naturally
• Watch and wait
• Play it by ear

Synonyms in other languages

• Español: Esperar pacientemente
• Français: Attendre patiencement
• German: Warten und sehen lassen
• Italian: Attendere con calma
• Japanese: 時間を待ちます (jikan o mataimasu)

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