Cool your heels

usgb
verb phrase

To wait for something or someone.

I had to cool my heels in the waiting room for an hour before the doctor saw me.
Visual representation of "cool your heels" - To wait for something or someone

Often appears as...

  • cool your heels in the waiting room
  • cool your heels in the lobby

Usage tips

Informal

Idiomatic

Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "cool your heels"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Patience Implication

Suggests the person is patiently enduring the wait, often with no control over the timing.

Illustration for Patience Implication
The flight was delayed, so passengers had to cool their heels in the lounge.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Potentially Unpleasant

Used when the wait might be frustrating or longer than expected.

Illustration for Potentially Unpleasant
The interviewees cooled their heels for hours as the team deliberated.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Not Literal

The phrase is figurative; it doesn't involve actual cooling of the heels.

Illustration for Not Literal
After submitting her application, she had to cool her heels for weeks.
Visual representation of the word "Cool your heels"

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