english
1
general::
Phrase(s): wait (around) (for someone or something)
to stay somewhere until something happens or someone or something arrives. • I’ll wait around for you for an hour or so. • I don’t want to wait around.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
wait for sb
If something is waiting for you, it has been left or prepared for you to collect, use, enjoy or deal with when you arrive
• An envelope was waiting for me when I got home.
• Uma had a cup of tea waiting for me, along with a plate of biscuits., wait in
UK
to stay at home because you are expecting someone or something to arrive, or someone to telephone you
• I waited in for the plumber all morning, but he didn't turn up., wait on sb/sth
mainly US
to serve food and drink, especially to customers in a restaurant
• The staff who waited on us at dinner were excellent.
• She waited on tables (= served meals as a job) to earn some extra money., wait behind
to stay in a place after all the other people have left
• The teacher made us wait behind after class., wait on sth
formal
to wait until you know the result of an activity before doing or deciding something
• The lawyers are waiting on the jury's verdict., wait up
to not go to bed at night because you are expecting someone to arrive
• I'll be home after midnight, so don't wait up for me., wait for sb/sth
If someone is waiting for someone or something, they are expecting them and prepared to deal with them
• When the thieves left the building, the police were waiting for them., wait sth for sb
US
to delay serving a meal until someone arrives
• Don't wait dinner for me - I'll be home late., wait around
( UK also wait about )
to stay in a place and do nothing while you wait for someone to arrive or something to happen
• We spent the whole day waiting around for something exciting to happen, but nothing did., wait on sb
to do everything for someone so that they do not have to do anything for themselves
• While she was pregnant, her husband waited on her hand and foot (= did everything for her).
Cambridge-Phrasal Verbs
3
general::
wait
to stay somewhere or not do something until something else happens, someone arrives etc:
• I’ll wait here while you call him. • He said he was waiting for a friend.
hang around
( also hang about British English ) informal to wait in a place not doing anything, especially so that you are wasting time:
• They kept us hanging around for hours at the hospital.
hold on/hang on
to wait because you are hoping that something will happen:
• The captain decided it was best to hold on and wait for the other ship to arrive. • We hung on until the very last moment.
can you hold on/hang on?
spoken used when telling someone to wait:
• Can you hang on a minute? I just want to finish this email.
stand by/be on standby
to wait and be ready to do something if needed – used especially about soldiers, police, medical teams etc:
• The army are standing by. • Emergency services were on standby after someone called to say there was a bomb in the city centre.
await
formal to wait for something – used about something that you know will happen or arrive:
• I will await your reply (= in a formal letter ) . • In February, nearly 200,000 prisoners were awaiting trial. • The soldiers awaited the order to advance.
Longman-Thesaurus
4
general::
verb
remain:
We must wait for them.
verb
serve:
She will wait on us at dinner., noun
pause:
We had a wait of one hour.
Simple Definitions
5
general::
wait
adverbs
wait two hours/ten minutes etc
• William waited an hour for his sister to arrive.
wait long
(= wait a long time – used especially in questions or negative sentences )
• She did not have to wait long for a train.
wait ages
informal especially British English (= wait a long time )
• I had to wait ages for a bus.
patiently
• They patiently waited for the rain to stop.
impatiently
• He waited impatiently for a reply.
anxiously
• All his friends were waiting anxiously for their exam results.
wait expectantly
(= hoping that something good or exciting will happen soon )
• He took out his camera and waited expectantly.
phrases
keep somebody waiting
• He kept us waiting for half an hour.
wait with bated breath
(= while feeling very anxious or excited )
• She waited with bated breath to see what he would say.
wait in vain
(= wait for something that never happens )
• They waited in vain for their son to come home.
transnet.ir
6
general::
In addition to the idioms beginning with WAIT, Also see CAN'T WAIT; HURRY UP AND WAIT; IN WAITING; LIE IN WAIT; PLAY A WAITING GAME.
American Heritage Idioms
7
general::
noun ADJ. endless, long We had a long wait to see the doctor. | short | agonizing, anxious, nerve-racking, nervous, worrying | frustrating | boring, tedious VERB + WAIT face, have The accused faces an agonizing wait while the jury considers its verdict. PREP. ~ for a short wait for an ambulance PHRASES be worth the wait The dress was so beautiful when it arrived that it was well worth the wait., verb ADV. long Have you been waiting long? | in vain They waited in vain for a response. | quietly, silently | patiently, politely He waited patiently while she got ready. | anxiously, impatiently, nervously, tensely, uneasily Their parents waited anxiously for news. | breathlessly, expectantly, with bated breath I waited with bated breath for what would happen next. | about, around VERB + WAIT have to, must You'll have to wait until you're older. | can/could hardly, can't/couldn't I can hardly wait for my holiday! I can't wait to see their new baby. PREP. for I'm waiting for a bus. | till/until We'll have to wait until it stops raining. PHRASES keep sb waiting I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. | wait a long time She had to wait a long time for the right man to come along. | wait a minute/moment Hey! Wait a minute! I'll come with you! | wait and see We'll wait and see what the weather's like before we make a decision.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary