holding pattern

• 1. 

  N-COUNT If an aircraft is put in a holding pattern, it is instructed to continue flying while waiting for permission to land. 等待航线 [usu sing; 'in a' N]

  例：

  As a result, planes were kept in a holding pattern, sometimes three or four miles apart, until they were cleared to land.

  结果，飞机均被保持在等待航线状态，有时相隔三四英里，直至它们得到降落指示。

• 2. 

  N-COUNT If something or someone is in a holding pattern, they remain in the same state or continue to do the same thing while waiting for something to happen. 保持不变状态 [usu sing; 'in a' N]

  例：

  "The Hewlett-Packard news brings a better tone to the market, which has been in a kind of holding pattern," said one trader.

  “惠普的消息带给一直处于停滞的市场一个较好的基调，”一位贸易商说道。

  例：

  I have lost a total of 19 pounds and have been pretty much in a holding pattern for the past three to four weeks.

  我的体重共减少了19磅，过去三四周没什么变化。