holding pattern

A state or period of delay, inactivity, or waiting for further instructions or developments, originally referring to an aircraft circling while awaiting clearance to land.

• 🇵🇹Estado ou período de atraso, inatividade ou espera por instruções ou eventos futuros; originalmente referia-se ao voo circular de um avião à espera de autorização para pousar.

1. Aircraft waiting B2 formal

   A predetermined flight path that an aircraft follows while waiting for clearance to land.

   • The plane entered a holding pattern due to heavy traffic at the airport.
   • We circled in a holding pattern for 20 minutes before landing.
   • Air traffic control instructed the pilot to maintain the holding pattern.

   🇵🇹Padrão de espera

2. State of waiting B2 informal

   A situation in which no progress is made, and one must wait for a decision or change.

   • My career is in a holding pattern until the company restructures.
   • The project is in a holding pattern while we wait for funding approval.
   • Our relationship has been in a holding pattern for months.

   🇵🇹Estado de espera