in the wings

Idioms  

1. Also, waiting in the wings. Nearby in the background, available on short notice. For example, Some police were in the wings in case of trouble at the rally, or There are at least a dozen young managers waiting in the wings for Harold to retire. This expression alludes to the theater, where a player waits in the wings or backstage area, unseen by the audience, for his or her turn to come on stage. [Second half of 1800s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

in the wings

Waiting in the wings was a group of more than a dozen friends and family there to see Alejandra Estrada and Brien Rios exchange vows.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

But with Hannah Einbinder’s final ‘Hacks’ turn and a scene-stealing Michelle Pfeiffer in the wings, it may take another year for her to finally snatch it.”

From Los Angeles Times ● May 20, 2026

You can also say the world may have seen its last Elon Musk if there isn’t a Tim Cook in the wings to deliver the gold mine at the end of the Musk rainbow.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 8, 2026

Marisa, Lucciano's mother, was stood in the wings with Ant and Dec while her father and son took to the stage for the ITV talent show.

From BBC ● Apr. 21, 2026

Maria stands in the wings, chewing her lip.

From "What the Night Sings" by Vesper Stamper