Cool your heels
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.
Often appears as...
- cool your heels in the waiting room
- cool your heels in the lobby
Usage tips
Informal
Idiomatic
verb phrase
To calm down or relax.
He was so angry, I told him to cool his heels before he did something he'll regret.
Often appears as...
- cool your heels before making a decision
- cool your heels before responding
Usage tips
Informal
Idiomatic
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.
Often appears as...
- cool your heels in the waiting room
- cool your heels in the lobby
Usage tips
Informal
Idiomatic
verb phrase
To calm down or relax.
He was so angry, I told him to cool his heels before he did something he'll regret.
Often appears as...
- cool your heels before making a decision
- cool your heels before responding
Usage tips
Informal
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Patience Implication
Suggests the person is patiently enduring the wait, often with no control over the timing.
The flight was delayed, so passengers had to cool their heels in the lounge.
Pro Tip 2/3Potentially Unpleasant
Used when the wait might be frustrating or longer than expected.
The interviewees cooled their heels for hours as the team deliberated.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Literal
The phrase is figurative; it doesn't involve actual cooling of the heels.
After submitting her application, she had to cool her heels for weeks.
Pro Tip 1/3Patience Implication
Suggests the person is patiently enduring the wait, often with no control over the timing.
The flight was delayed, so passengers had to cool their heels in the lounge.
Pro Tip 2/3Potentially Unpleasant
Used when the wait might be frustrating or longer than expected.
The interviewees cooled their heels for hours as the team deliberated.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Literal
The phrase is figurative; it doesn't involve actual cooling of the heels.
After submitting her application, she had to cool her heels for weeks.
Pro Tip 1/3Patience Implication
Suggests the person is patiently enduring the wait, often with no control over the timing.
The flight was delayed, so passengers had to cool their heels in the lounge.
Pro Tip 2/3Potentially Unpleasant
Used when the wait might be frustrating or longer than expected.
The interviewees cooled their heels for hours as the team deliberated.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Literal
The phrase is figurative; it doesn't involve actual cooling of the heels.
After submitting her application, she had to cool her heels for weeks.
Never forget "Cool your heels"
Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension