queues - lines of people waiting for something are queues waited patiently - if you wait calmly and quietly you wait patiently snaking round entire blocks - this expression describes how the queues were very long and twisty, like a snake eager - if you are keen and enthusiastic you are eager a slice of - a piece or a part of privatised utility - a company providing a public service which is owned by private investors is a privatised utility In the event - what actually happened was.... went home empty-handed - were unsuccessful in their attempt to buy shares | 
