1. to stay hidden, ready to attack.

Police said the suspect was lying in wait in a dark hallway.

This person was found behind a wall, as if he were lying in wait for someone.

2. to delay doing something until the best time for it.

The smart thing to do is lie in wait for the right time to ask for a raise.

Related vocabulary: lie low

• you could cut the atmosphere with a knife
• You could have heard a pin drop.
• You could have knocked me down with a feather!
• You could have knocked me over with a feather!
• you could hear a pin drop
• you couldn't have asked for anything more
• you couldn't have asked for more
• You could've fooled me.
• You'd better believe it!
• you don't need this
• you have got to be kidding
• you haven't lived
• you haven't lived until
• you haven't lived until something
• You have to be cruel to be kind.
• You have to hand it to
• You have to hand it to someone
• you know
• You live and learn.
• You'll catch death!
• You'll catch death of cold!
• you'll catch it
• You'll catch your death!
• You'll catch your death of cold!
• You'll never hear the end of it.