standing in line
[/ˈstændɪŋ ɪn laɪn/]
verb phrase
ficar na fila
1. waiting one's turn in a queue of people
I spent two hours standing in line at the bank.
Passei duas horas ficando na fila do banco.
2. the act of positioning oneself in an orderly queue
Standing in line for the concert tickets was worth the wait.
Ficar na fila para comprar ingressos do show valeu a pena.
Queue culture varies significantly between Brazil and the US. In Brazil, standing in line is often informal and contested, especially in busy urban centers, whereas in the US and especially NYC, it represents a civic duty and proper social order. The phrase reflects patience and orderliness in both cultures.
NYC Slang
waiting on line (Northern US variant, especially NYC)
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