wait-and-see attitude

wait-and-see attitude

A hesitant, skeptical, or circumspect mindset or outlook. The boss has always had a wait-and-see attitude when it comes to new market opportunities, which can be maddening when you're trying to tap into a fresh revenue stream. My wife likes to jump into every wild idea as soon as she's had it, whereas I have more of a wait-and-see attitude about things.
See also: attitude
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

wait-and-see attitude

Fig. a skeptical attitude; an uncertain attitude in which someone will just wait to see what happens before reacting. John thought that Mary couldn't do it, but he took a wait-and-see attitude. His wait-and-see attitude seemed to indicate that he didn't really care what happened.
See also: attitude
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • have (one's) tail up
  • put (one's) tail up
  • with (one's) tail up
  • with your tail up
  • well disposed to
  • well disposed to (someone or something)
  • well disposed toward (someone or something)
  • regard (someone or something) with (something)
  • regard with
  • with (one's) head in the clouds
References in periodicals archive
Summary: The real estate and construction sectors were under pressure in 2015, witnessing net contractions in major aggregates, namely property transactions, deliveries of cement and construction permits within the context of the wait-and-see attitude characterizing investment in the country and leading to a delay in major investment decisions in an environment of political uncertainties.
LEBANON: CONSTRUCTION STATISTICS
Furthermore, panel prices began to fall in April, therefore, before the price turning point is confirmed, brand vendors would maintain a wait-and-see attitude toward demand.
Global large-sized TFT-LCD shipments down 4% MoM to 51.5 m. units: WitsView
Meanwhile, Rupprecht says, the response from the scientific community has been a mix of admiration, disbelief, and a "wait-and-see attitude." After all, he notes, "this is a sample size of one--over 4,000 years."
One in a million: patient survives late-stage rabies infection
Some organizations in the area are adopting a wait-and-see attitude before agreeing to play a role in the center.
Centers stage: the effort by a new gay and lesbian center in San Francisco to win over its community reflects a nationwide mission to shape centers according to the needs of the people they serve. (Activism)
Many CPAs practicing in small firms appear to be taking a wait-and-see attitude when it comes to the proposed global credential.
Many small firms remain on the fence
Rather than assume the wait-and-see attitude of his father, he adopted an attitude of attacking his enemies, building Surrey House as a center for the new culture he espoused, and engaged in a "race for the succession" (334).
Henry Howard, the Poet Earl of Surrey: A Life
The skills required now are knowing how to convince sellers to recognize that buyers need an incentive in order to induce them to jump on a property instead of taking a wait-and-see attitude about both prices and interest rates."
Looks like a broker's market in 2001
Steven Sims, vice president of the National Minority Supplier Development Council's government relations office, is among those taking a wait-and-see attitude following the announcement.
Washington Report: leveling the field
"These findings suggest a wait-and-see attitude," said Susan L.
Companies unsure of GATT, NAFTA impact on U.S. business
CPAs may, however, confront clients who have adopted passive, wait-and-see attitudes toward their companies' situations.
Bankruptcy: when is it good news?