stage wait

noun

Theater.

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

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Word History and Origins

Origin of stage wait¹

First recorded in 1860–65

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A related fault which interferes with suspense is the “stage wait” treated on page 209.

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The act being called, each actor was required to be at his entrance on time; if he should be late and make a "stage wait," the stage manager might reprimand him, and impose a fine.

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One night during the performance there was a stage wait.

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"Now you'd better go on or there'll be a stage wait, and get back to ma as quick as you like."