holding pattern

Noun

idiomatic

Japanese Meaning

航空: 着陸待ち航空機が辿る経路。 / 慣用: 物事が進展せず、無駄で生産的でない活動状態。

管制官は、空港の霧のために着陸待ちの旋回経路に入ると操縦士たちに伝えた。

Sense（1）

(aviation) A path taken by an aircraft waiting to land.

The plane flew in a holding pattern for half an hour because one runway was closed.

Sense（2）

(idiomatic) Any failure to advance; useless or unproductive activity.

This project is in a holding pattern until all the parts arrive.

holding patterns

（ plural ）