lie in wait (for somebody)
to stay hidden, ready to attack

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

lie in wait
1.
to stay hidden, ready to attack.
Police said the suspect was lying in wait in a dark hallway.

This person was found behind a wall, as if he were lying in wait for someone.

2.
to delay doing something until the best time for it.
The smart thing to do is lie in wait for the right time to ask for a raise.

Related vocabulary: lie low

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

lie in wait
watch from hiding in order to attack or surprise someone
The police decided to lie in wait for the bank robbers to appear at the bank.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

lie in wait
v. phr. To watch from hiding in order to attack or surprise someone; to ambush.
The driver of the stage-coach knew that the thieves were lying in wait somewhere along the road.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲