wait up

British  

verb

1. to delay going to bed in order to await some event

2. informal to halt and pause in order that another person may catch up

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wait up Idioms  

1. 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]

2. 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 ]

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Example Sentences

A host of hospital building projects in England are being delayed with some having to wait up to 14 years before work starts, the government says.

From BBC • Jan. 20, 2025

So migrants - many of them families with young children - are having to wait up to a week to get the chance to surrender themselves.

From BBC • Dec. 8, 2023

She’s been denied a mortgage and several other loans, while many of her employees have had to wait up to two weeks for their paychecks to clear.

From New York Times • Nov. 18, 2023

In some cases, migrants may wait up to a decade for a court date.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 1, 2023

“I’ll wait up for you!” called Jessie from the roof.

From "The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street" by Karina Yan Glaser