holding pattern
nounUK /ˈhəʊldɪŋ ˌpætən/
US /ˈhoʊldɪŋ ˌpætərn/
A way of flying in circles while waiting for permission to land.
The plane stayed in a holding pattern above the airport until the storm passed.
SYNONYMS
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A situation where no progress is made and things stay the same.
The project has been in a holding pattern since the budget was cut.
3. A repeated way of behaving that someone cannot easily change.
He fell back into his old holding pattern of working late every night.
4. A state of waiting for a decision or news before acting.
Her career was in a holding pattern while she waited for the transfer approval.