in the wings

Idioms and Phrases

Also, waiting in the wings . Nearby in the background, available on short notice. For example, Some police were in the wings in case of trouble at the rally , or There are at least a dozen young managers waiting in the wings for Harold to retire . This expression alludes to the theater, where a player waits in the wings or backstage area, unseen by the audience, for his or her turn to come on stage. [Second half of 1800s]