limbo

A situation in which nothing is decided or moving forward, so you cannot know what will happen.

• My application is still in limbo.
• The canceled vote left the project in limbo.
• How long will they keep us in limbo?

How to use it: in limbo (Our plans are in limbo until the funding arrives.); leave someone/something in limbo (The delay left the workers in limbo.)

Similar words: uncertainty

Common phrases: in limbo, leave something in limbo, legal limbo

A dance in which people bend backward and move under a bar without touching it.

• We danced the limbo at the party.
• She won the limbo contest.
• The children laughed as the limbo bar got lower.

Common phrases: dance the limbo, limbo contest, limbo dancer

In some Christian beliefs, a place for innocent dead souls outside heaven and hell.

• The text describes souls waiting in limbo.
• Some believers imagined unbaptized infants in limbo.
• The theologian questioned the idea of limbo.

Common phrases: souls in limbo, infants in limbo, belief in limbo

A weapon on a warship that fires explosive charges at submarines.

• The ship carried a limbo mortar.
• The crew fired the limbo at a submerged target.
• This frigate’s limbo was mounted on the rear deck.

Common phrases: limbo mortar, limbo mounting, limbo system

To dance by bending backward and moving under a bar without touching it.

• Can you limbo?
• They limboed to the lively music.
• We learned to limbo during our holiday.

How to use it: limbo under something (She limboed under the bar without touching it.)

Common phrases: limbo under something, limbo at parties, learn to limbo

To move under something, usually by bending your body backward.

• She managed to limbo under the branch.
• We had to limbo beneath the low barrier.
• Can you limbo under that rope without touching it?

How to use it: limbo under something (He limboed under the rope to reach the other side.)

Common phrases: limbo under something, limbo beneath something