Waiting for or remaining in a place, especially while waiting for the right moment to act.
From Old English 'bīdan' meaning 'to remain' or 'to wait'. The phrase 'biding one's time' became popular in Middle English, referring to the patience required in hunting and warfare.
The phrase 'biding your time' comes from medieval hunting—predators had to wait perfectly still for prey. It's the same word strategy behind why 'abide' means to follow rules: you have to stay put and obey them!
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