Meaning & use
holding pattern
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Meanings
nouncountablebusiness
a state in which a company or project stops making progress and waits for a decision or change
Grammar: Often used in the phrase 'in a holding pattern': The company is in a holding pattern.
Patterns
- in a holding pattern
- put something in a holding pattern
- remain in a holding pattern
The merger talks are in a holding pattern until the new CEO arrives.
Our department has been in a holding pattern for months, waiting for budget approval.
The project was put in a holding pattern after the funding was delayed.
nouncountabletechnical
a route followed by an aircraft waiting to land, usually a circular path
Grammar: Used in aviation contexts: The plane entered a holding pattern.
Patterns
- enter a holding pattern
- in a holding pattern
- fly in a holding pattern
The plane was in a holding pattern for 20 minutes before it could land.
Due to bad weather, several aircraft entered holding patterns.
The pilot announced that we would be in a holding pattern over the airport.
Word forms
| plural | holding patterns |
|---|
Common combinations
- in a holding pattern
- The economy seems to be in a holding pattern.
- put something in a holding pattern
- They put the expansion plans in a holding pattern.
- remain in a holding pattern
- The negotiations remain in a holding pattern.
- enter a holding pattern
- The plane entered a holding pattern due to traffic.
Synonyms and how they differ
- limbo
- This means a state of uncertainty and waiting, but it often has a more negative tone than 'holding pattern'.
- standstill
- This means a complete stop, while 'holding pattern' suggests waiting with the possibility of movement later.
Practice
Choose the best completion: The company is in a holding pattern ___ the new regulations are announced.
Choose one answer.
'Until' is used to indicate the point in time when the waiting will end. 'Since' would mean from a past time, 'during' needs a noun, and 'while' would need a clause with a verb in the progressive form, but here the clause is passive.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “holding pattern”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.