Welcome to our blog post where we will explore 20 common idioms and phrasal verbs using the verb “wait.” Understanding these will help you enhance your English language skills and use the verb “wait” more effectively in different contexts.
1. Wait on
Meaning: Serve someone
Example: He waits on customers at the cafe.
2. Wait up
Meaning: Stay awake for someone
Example: I’ll wait up until you get home.
3. Wait around
Meaning: Stay somewhere doing nothing
Example: We waited around for hours without news.
4. Wait out
Meaning: Wait until something ends
Example: We waited out the storm in the basement.
5. Wait in
Meaning: Stay home for something
Example: She waited in for the delivery man.
6. Wait behind
Meaning: Stay after others leave
Example: He waited behind to speak to the teacher.
7. Wait for
Meaning: Anticipate something
Example: They waited for the train in the cold.
8. Wait on hand and foot
Meaning: Attend to someone completely
Example: She waits on him hand and foot daily.
9. Wait in line
Meaning: Stand in a queue
Example: We waited in line for concert tickets.
10. Wait on someone’s decision
Meaning: Await a choice
Example: We’re waiting on the boss’s decision.
11. Wait until the cows come home
Meaning: Wait forever
Example: You’ll wait until the cows come home for it.
12. Wait it out
Meaning: Endure something until it ends
Example: We have to wait it out patiently.
13. Wait one’s turn
Meaning: Be patient for your chance
Example: Everyone must wait their turn in line.
14. Wait with bated breath
Meaning: Wait anxiously
Example: They waited with bated breath for the results.
15. Wait in the wings
Meaning: Be ready to act
Example: She’s waiting in the wings for her chance.
16. Wait upon
Meaning: Serve or attend
Example: They wait upon their guests diligently.
17. Wait for the dust to settle
Meaning: Wait for a situation to calm
Example: We waited for the dust to settle after the argument.
18. Wait for the other shoe to drop
Meaning: Anticipate the next bad thing
Example: They waited for the other shoe to drop after the warning.
19. Wait for your ship to come in
Meaning: Wait for success
Example: He’s waiting for his ship to come in.
20. Wait for an eternity
Meaning: Wait a very long time
Example: It felt like we waited for an eternity.
