holding pattern

American  

noun

1. a traffic pattern for aircraft at a specified location holding point where they are ordered to remain until permitted to land or proceed.

2. a state or period in which no progress or change is made or planned.

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holding pattern British  

noun

1. the oval or circular path of an aircraft flying around an airport awaiting permission to land

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Etymology

Origin of holding pattern

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

“Canadian retail sales continue a holding pattern as support from lower interest rates faces headwinds from trade uncertainty,” said Shelly Kaushik, senior economist at Bank of Montreal Capital Markets.

From The Wall Street Journal

Big picture: The economy is in a holding pattern of sorts.

From MarketWatch

The latest data suggests that while price growth is no longer slowing, the market remains in a holding pattern.

From The Wall Street Journal

For now, October’s meeting looks like a holding pattern.

From Barron's

For now, October’s meeting looks like a holding pattern, a modest step to keep policy aligned with a cooling economy until the data flow returns.

From Barron's