The poor have no option but to wait in vain.

穷人除了徒然地等待之外别无选择。

youdao

Instead, they wait (in vain, perhaps) for a more usable product and switch to it.

相反，他们(也许是徒劳地)等待下一个可用的产品然后切换过去。

youdao

Sales have fallen sharply, as developers wait in vain for demand to pick up rather than flogging their properties at a discount.

这是因为房产开发商们并未将楼盘以折扣价出售，而是坐等消费者对房产需求的重新上涨，最终，这场空等让房屋成交量暴跌。

youdao

But drivers stuck in traffic are reluctant to leave the highway and possibly wait in vain for passengers.

WSJ: On the George Washington Bridge, Picking Up Hitchhikers Takes a Toll