in limbo

Idioms  

1. In a condition of oblivion or neglect, as in They kept her application in limbo for months . [Early 1600s]

2. An intermediate or transitional state, as in After his editor left the firm, his book was in limbo . [Early 1600s] Both usages allude to the theological meaning of limbo , that is, a place outside hell and heaven to which unbaptized infants and the righteous who died before Christ's coming were traditionally consigned.

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Example Sentences

Seema Shah, chief global strategist at Principal Asset Management, thinks there’s a “high bar” for those concerns to impact markets in a sustained manner, given that the U.S. affordability crisis limits the administration’s ability to impose new tariffs and their legal status remains in limbo ahead of a looming opinion from the Supreme Court.

From Barron's

Seema Shah, chief global strategist at Principal Asset Management, thinks there’s a “high bar” for those concerns to impact markets in a sustained manner, given that the U.S. affordability crisis limits the administration’s ability to impose new tariffs and their legal status remains in limbo ahead of a looming opinion from the Supreme Court.

From Barron's

"We're in limbo. We'll be running into three years soon," George stated.

From BBC

Binder, now 31, has also spoken of how the allegations had affected his life: "I've spent the past seven years in limbo. I had hoped to have a job, a career, some savings by now. I'd have hoped to be able to be a father. I'm trained as a lawyer, but I wasn't allowed to represent my clients until I was acquitted."

From BBC

That means anyone who applied for asylum, a visa, a green card or any other benefit remains in limbo indefinitely.

From Los Angeles Times