in the wings

phrase

1

: out of sight in the stage wings

2

: close at hand in the background : readily available

had a plan waiting in the wings

Examples of in the wings in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Against this environment, quickfire costume changes take place in the wings while hats or wigs occasionally get doffed and switched out in front of the audience. — Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 6 Nov. 2026

Kyler Murray is in concussion protocol with Carson Wentz in the wings. — Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 18 Sep. 2026

Then there’s that pricey ticking fee kickoff and a possible SCOTUS intervention in the wings. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 15 Sep. 2026

The voices and visions play tricks and offer surprises, and there’s a sense of humour even when tragedy is lurking in the wings. — Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for in the wings

• brings
• clings
• dings
• flings
• kings
• lings
• pings
• rings
• sings
• slings
• stings
• strings