wait up
Britishverb
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to delay going to bed in order to await some event
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informal to halt and pause in order that another person may catch up
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Postpone going to bed in anticipation of someone or something, as in My parents always wait up until I get home, no matter how late it is . [Mid-1800s]
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Stop or pause so that another can catch up, as in Let's wait up for the stragglers , or Don't walk so fast; wait up for me . [ Colloquial ]
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.
"Delays are more frequent than last year. I've had to wait up to seven hours for American clients," he said.
From Barron's ● Aug. 23, 2026
Patients who believe they were harmed by a disgraced brain surgeon will have to wait up to two years to find out whether he will face criminal charges.
From BBC ● Jan. 20, 2025
She's been told she will have to wait up to three years to be seen at a pain clinic.
From BBC ● Dec. 19, 2023
Families wait up to 18 months to receive services.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 24, 2023
I ask Uhmma, Should we try to wait up for Apa?
From "A Step from Heaven" by An Na
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
