lie in wait

Idioms  

1. Remain hidden while preparing to attack, as in The opposition was quietly lying in wait for the incumbent to make his first big mistake. This expression originally alluded to physical attacks and is now often used figuratively. [Mid-1400s] Also see lay for.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

lie in wait

The rewards, for better or worse, lie in wait for those who take a side.

From Slate ● Apr. 21, 2026

Difficult matches lie in wait for Wales, but they will fancy their chances of qualifying for a second successive World Cup, and only a third in their history.

From BBC ● Nov. 20, 2025

Not being able to lie in wait for your helper to enter the cell poses an important challenge to a satellite phage.

From Salon ● Nov. 9, 2023

Across Afghanistan, thousands of unexploded devices lie in wait, the U.N. de-mining agency says.

From Reuters ● Jul. 7, 2022

Fearing that Falconer might lie in wait, I took a roundabout route and came upon Mr. Pope and Sander as they were leaving the house.

From "The Shakespeare Stealer" by Gary L. Blackwood

Related Words

• await
• delay
• expect
• hang
• linger
• remain
• stand by
• stay
• stick around
• watch