leaving someone in limbo; dragging out uncertainty; half-killing a snake (lit.)
Idiomatic expression describing a situation where someone is kept in a state of painful uncertainty or suspense, often with a sense of cruelty or torment. The literal image is of a snake left half-dead, still writhing.
Being kept waiting for a reply is like being left in limbo.
He tormented his rival by dragging out the situation tortuously.