⏳ Biding Your Time: The Art of Excellent Timing ⏰
bide one’s time, to - To wait for the right moment to speak or take action. The verb “to bide,” meaning “to wait for” since about the year 950, survives today only in this cliché. Frederick W. Robertson used the expression in a sermon (1853): “They bide their time and suddenly represent themselves.”
Synonyms
- Wait patiently
- Hold off
- Stay put
- Await one’s chance
- Hold one’s horses 🐴
Antonyms
- Rush into
- Act impulsively
- Jump the gun
- Haste makes waste
Humor-Filled Quotes
- “I’m not procrastinating, I’m biding my time like a pro…”
- “Patience is not the ability to wait but to keep a positive attitude while waiting for the WiFi to reconnect.”
Related Proverbs & Expressions
- “Good things come to those who wait.”
- “Patience is a virtue.”
- “Slow and steady wins the race.” 🐢
Literature and Media Suggestions
- Books: “Outliers” by Malcolm Gladwell (for insights on the right timing for success).
- Songs: “Patience” by Guns N’ Roses (because good things take time) 🎶.
- Movies: “The Shawshank Redemption” (a masterclass in patience and biding one’s time).
- Poetry: “If” by Rudyard Kipling (for a poetic take on holding one’s nerves and time).
Inspirational Farewell
“Patience is not just about waiting but the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting. Remember, the best moments in life often come with a good wait!”
### The phrase 'bide one’s time' means:
- [x] To wait for the right moment
- [ ] To hurry with excitement
- [ ] To act immediately
- [ ] To jump into action without thinking
> **Explanation:** Biding one’s time means you’re waiting for the most opportune moment to act or speak, a tactic that demands patience and strategy.
### Which is a synonym for 'bide one’s time'?
- [ ] Rush
- [x] Hold off
- [ ] Act impulsively
- [ ] Jump the gun
> **Explanation:** 'Hold off' is a synonym, indicating a deliberate delay until the right time comes; the others imply rushed or immediate action.
### 'Patience is a virtue' relates to which idiom?
- [x] Bide one’s time
- [ ] Rollercoaster life
- [ ] Burn the midnight oil
- [ ] Ace up the sleeve
> **Explanation:** 'Patience is a virtue' closely relates to 'bide one’s time,’ emphasizing patience and waiting for the opportune moment.
### Which of the following is an antonym of 'bide one’s time'?
- [ ] Stay put
- [x] Rush into
- [ ] Await one's chance
- [ ] Wait patiently
> **Explanation:** Rushing into something contrasts starkly with biding one's time, which is about waiting patiently.
### True or False: Bide one’s time suggests impatience.
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** False. 'Bide one’s time' suggests the very opposite: patiently waiting for the right moment to act or speak.
