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

The plane initially went into a holding pattern to stay safe.

From The Wall Street Journal

The stock market is stuck in a holding pattern—and some investors are pinning their hopes on holiday cheer.

From The Wall Street Journal

“It seems like a holding pattern for both the bulls and the bears,” he said.

From MarketWatch

On a slow news day, stocks were in a holding pattern following November’s late surge.

From Barron's

“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