Terminal Hold
When you call a business and are placed on hold, with no human contact, for hours on end. The business hoping that you will get frustrated and just give up, so they don't have to talk to you.
Scooter: Geez Mary! You've been on the phone with them forever.
Mary: Yeah, about 5 hours. They put me on Terminal Hold. This is a matter of principle now! I am not hanging up.
Mary: Yeah, about 5 hours. They put me on Terminal Hold. This is a matter of principle now! I am not hanging up.
Terminal holding pattern
When you're put on hold for a painfully long period of time.
Jan: Hasn't that helpdesk answered yet?
Sam: No, I'm in a terminal holding pattern...
Sam: No, I'm in a terminal holding pattern...