From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English(waiting/lurking) in the wings(waiting/lurking) in the wingsREADYready to do something or be used when the time is right Several junior managers are waiting in the wings for promotion. → wing
Examples from the Corpus
(waiting/lurking) in the wings• On Concorde, though, the engines are embedded in the wings, next to the fuel tanks.• He stopped by on his night off, was let in the stage door, and stood in the wings.• Platt has had to wait in the wings because he is one of four foreign players fighting for the permitted three places.• The local chapter leaders waiting in the wings seemed upset.• None the less, there are always people waiting in the wings to discredit a positive image.• There were no wealthy aunts or uncles waiting in the wings. 