1
general::
Phrase(s): hurry up and wait
Fig. to do some things in a series fast and then have to wait a long time to do the next things in the series. (Originally military.) • That’s all we ever do. Rush to stand in line somewhere. We just hurry up and wait all day long. • Hurry up and wait! That’s the army for you.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
Move quickly and then have to wait for something or someone. For example, We did our share in good time, but the others were several days behind so we couldn't finish? it was another case of hurry up and wait. This expression dates from the 1940s and probably originated in the armed services.
American Heritage Idioms