# wait for the dust to settle

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/wait-for-the-dust-to-settle
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To let a situation calm down, become clear or certain, before taking any action.

## Examples

- I will wait for the dust to settle before I decide.
- After the company announced major changes, the staff decided to wait for the dust to settle before applying for new roles.
- In the wake of the sudden political scandal, the investors chose to wait for the dust to settle rather than making any hasty decisions regarding their portfolios.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.