stage wait

American  

noun

Theater.

1. an unintentional pause during a performance, usually caused by a performer's or stagehand's missing a cue.

---

Etymology

Origin of stage wait

First recorded in 1860–65

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

stage wait

“A stage wait, in fact,” put in Clancy, sarcastically.

From The Bartlett Mystery by Louis Tracy

The rules touching on forfeits seemed endless: "For being late," "For a stage wait," "For lack of courtesy," "For gossiping," "For wounding a companion's feelings"—each had its separate forfeiture.

From Stage Confidences by Clara Morris

I had to kiss everybody in the company goo' bye and that made the stage wait and the manager came chasing around without any goat and tol' me never to darken his door again.

From The Sorrows of a Show Girl by Kenneth McGaffey

Then there's a stage wait for three or four minutes before the fish is brought in, Cyril paddin' around ponderous with the plates.

From Wilt Thou Torchy by Sewell Ford

Every night there's a stage wait for him to come on for the serenade,' said Dick, withdrawing his head from the window.

From A Mummer's Wife by George (George Augustus) Moore

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---