The idiom "waiting in the wings" means to be ready and prepared to take action or to step forward when the opportunity arises. It is often used to describe someone who is waiting for their turn to perform or take part in an event, but can also refer to someone who is waiting for an opportunity to present itself in any situation.
The origin of this phrase comes from the theater, where actors would wait in the wings of the stage for their cue to enter and perform. The wings are the areas on either side of the stage where actors wait for their turn to go on stage.
In everyday life, you might use this idiom to describe someone who is waiting for their chance to shine or waiting for their moment to make a move. For example, if you are interviewing for a job and you know that there are other candidates waiting to be interviewed, you might say that you are "waiting in the wings" for your turn to impress the interviewer.
Overall, "waiting in the wings" is a useful idiom to describe someone who is ready and waiting for their opportunity to take action.
• The actress was waiting in the wings, nervous but excited to make her entrance on stage.
• The new CEO has been waiting in the wings, ready to take over the company.
• As the election results came in, the experienced politician was waiting in the wings, ready to step up and take charge of the country during a time of crisis.
• I'm waiting in the wings to take the stage for my first dance performance.
• The backup quarterback has been waiting in the wings all season, hoping for a chance to prove himself.
• After years of hard work and preparation, the young musician was finally ready to step out of the shadows and take his place in the spotlight, waiting in the wings for his big moment.