Search Result for "holding pattern":
Wordnet 3.0

NOUN (2)

1. a state of inaction with no progress and no change;
- Example: "you should go into a holding pattern until he gets over his disappointment"

2. the flight path (usually circular) maintained by an aircraft that is awaiting permission to land; 



WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

holding pattern
    n 1: a state of inaction with no progress and no change; "you
         should go into a holding pattern until he gets over his
         disappointment"
    2: the flight path (usually circular) maintained by an aircraft
       that is awaiting permission to land