What Does "Wait for the Other Shoe to Drop" Mean?
"Wait for the other shoe to drop" is an English idiom. It means "to anticipate a subsequent event or consequence after an initial event."Examples in Sentences
Here are three examples of the idiom "wait for the other shoe to drop" used in a sentence:- After the initial announcement, everyone is waiting for the other shoe to drop.
- The first part of the software rollout was smooth, but we're waiting for the other shoe to drop.
- She shared some news, but I feel like we're waiting for the other shoe to drop.

What Is an Idiom?
An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Wait for the Other Shoe to Drop" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.
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