The phrase "holding pattern" refers to a state of waiting or temporary pause. It implies staying in one place or not making progress towards a goal until a particular situation or problem is resolved. Full definition
Sadly not ones I can answer though — the project is in a bit of holding pattern while we figure out the answers to exactly these questions. (du9.org)
I currently have a couple of young ladies within the church who are in that kind of holding pattern when it comes to dating. (myintimcity.com)
Typical new faculty members in biomedical science are well over 35 when they're hired, largely because they have spent so long in postdoc holding patterns. (sciencemag.org)