holding pattern

idiom

Meaning

Any failure to advance; useless or unproductive activity.

Examples

SIMPLE

The project is in a holding pattern right now.

CONTEXTUAL

The negotiations are stuck in a holding pattern until the lawyers finish reviewing the documents.

COMPLEX

With funding frozen and no clear direction from leadership, the entire department had lapsed into a holding pattern, marking time until someone made a decision.

Anchors to

holding
pattern

Related idioms2entries

01
be left holding the baby
To be left with the responsibility of resolving a problem.
02
leave someone holding the baby
To abandon someone and put them in a position where they must take the responsibility or blame.