What does "wing" mean?

In addition to the idiom beginning with wing, also see clip someone's wings; in the wings; left wing; on the wing; take flight (wing); under someone's wing.

See wing in WNW Idioms

give wing to

or give wings to
to enable to fly or soar on or as if on wings

on the wing

  1. flying, or while in flight
  2. in motion or while moving or traveling

take wing

  1. to take flight; fly away
  2. to become joyous, jubilant, or enraptured

under one's wing

under one's protection, patronage, etc.

waiting in the wings

Etymology: see wing, )

  1. standing offstage and ready to make an entrance
  2. ready to enter a situation, be brought to public attention, or undertake a role, position, etc.

wing it

☆
Informal to act, speak, etc. with little or no planning or preparation; improvise

See wing in American Heritage Dictionary 4 Idioms

under (one's) wing

Under one's protection; in one's care.

wing it

Informal
To say or do something without preparation, forethought, or sufficient information or experience; improvise: She hadn't studied for the exam, so she decided to wing it.

in the wings

  1. In the stage wings, unseen by the audience.
  2. Close by in the background; available at short notice: a presidential candidate waiting in the wings.

on the wing

In flight; flying.

take wing

To fly off; soar away.

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