wait (redirected from couldn't wait)

can't wait (to do something)

to be very eager, as if to be unable to endure the wait until it is possible to do something. I'm glad it's almost summertime—I just can't wait to go swimming!

catch the next wave and wait for the next wave

Fig. to follow the next fad. He has no purpose in life. He sits around strumming his guitar and waiting to catch the next wave.

See also: catch, next, wave

Good things come to him who waits. and Everything comes to him who waits.

Prov. If you are patient you will get what you want. Fred: Why is it taking you so long to get dinner ready? Can't you hurry up? Ellen: Good things come to him who waits. Jill: I wish our train would get here. Jane: Everything comes to her who waits.

See also: come, good, him, thing, who

hurry up and wait

Fig. to do some things in a series fast and then have to wait a long time to do the next things in the series. (Originally military.) That's all we ever do. Rush to stand in line somewhere. We just hurry up and wait all day long. Hurry up and wait! That's the army for you.

See also: and, hurry, up

lie in wait (for someone or something)

Fig. to stay still and hidden, waiting for someone or something. Bob was lying in wait for Anne so he could scold her about something. The assassin lay in wait for his target to approach.

See also: lie

not able to wait

to have to go to the bathroom urgently. (Also more broadly literal.) Mom, I can't wait. Driver, stop the bus! My little boy can't wait.

See also: able

on the waiting list and on the wait list

[for someone's name to be] on a list of people waiting for an opportunity to do something. I couldn't get a seat on the plane, but I got on the waiting list. There is no room for you, but we can put your name on the waiting list.

See also: list, waiting

They also serve who only stand and wait.

Prov. Sometimes you must be patient and do nothing, even though you would like to be actively helping. (From John Milton's poem, "On His Blindness.") Jill: Can I help? Jane: No, we've got enough people helping. Jill: But I want to help. Jane: They also serve who only stand and wait.

See also: also, and, serve, stand, who

Time and tide wait for no man.

Prov. Things will not wait for you when you are late. Hurry up or we'll miss the bus! Time and tide wait for no man. Ellen: It's time to leave. Aren't you finished dressing yet? Fred: I can't decide which necktie looks best with this shirt. Ellen: Time and tide wait for no man, dear.

See also: and, man, tide, time

wait (around) (for someone or something)

to stay somewhere until something happens or someone or something arrives. I'll wait around for you for an hour or so. I don't want to wait around.

wait (on) tables

Fig. to serve food and tend diners, as at a restaurant. I waited on tables for years to pay my college tuition.

See also: table

wait (up)on someone

Fig. to pay homage to someone. (Stilted.) Do you expect me to wait upon you like a member of some medieval court? She waited on her grown children as if they were gods and goddesses.

wait something out

to wait until something ends. I will wait the summer out, and if nothing happens, I'll write again. I can wait out the storm inside.

See also: out

wait at something (for someone or something)

to stay at something or some place until something happens or someone or something arrives. Wait at the door for me. I waited at the office for your call.

wait for the other shoe to drop

Fig. to wait for the inevitable next step or the final conclusion. He just opened his mail and moaned. Now, I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop when he finds the subpoena.

See also: drop, other, shoe

wait on someone hand and foot

Fig. to serve someone very well, attending to all personal needs. I don't mind bringing you your coffee, but I don't intend to wait on you hand and foot. I don't want anyone to wait on me hand and foot. I can take care of myself.

See also: and, foot, hand

wait one's turn

Fig. to keep from doing something until everyone ahead of you has done it. You can't cross the intersection yet. You must wait your turn. I can't wait my turn. I'm in a tremendous hurry.

See also: turn

wait up (for someone or something)

1. Fig. to stay up late waiting for someone to arrive or something to happen. I'll be home late. Don't wait up for me. We waited up for the coming of the new year, and then we went to bed.

2. and hold up (for someone or something)Fig. to wait for someone or something to catch up. Hey! Don't go so fast. Wait up for me. Hold up! You're going too fast.

See also: up

wait up (a minute)

Wait for me while I catch up with you! Tom, who was following Mary down the street, said, "Wait up a minute! I need to talk to you." John: Hey, Sally! Wait up! Sally: What's happening?

See also: up

wait up (until something)

to delay going to bed until a certain time or until something happens or someone arrives. Are you going to wait up until midnight? We waited up until we heard him come in the back door.

See also: up

wait-and-see attitude

Fig. a skeptical attitude; an uncertain attitude in which someone will just wait to see what happens before reacting. John thought that Mary couldn't do it, but he took a wait-and-see attitude. His wait-and-see attitude seemed to indicate that he didn't really care what happened.

See also: attitude

You (just) wait (and see)! and Just (you) wait (and see)!

Inf. Wait and see what will happen.; If you wait, you will see that what I predict will be true. John: You'll get what you deserve! Just you wait! Jane: Mind your own business. Bill: Things will get better. You just wait and see! Sue: Sure, but when?

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wait for the other shoe to drop  (American)

to wait for something bad to happen Once a company starts laying of employees, those who are still working feel they are waiting for the other shoe to drop.

See also: drop, other, shoe

wait on somebody hand and foot

to do everything for someone so that they do not have to do anything for themselves He just wants a woman to wait on him hand and foot.

See also: and, foot, hand

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hurry up and wait

to prepare quickly for an activity that is then delayed Air travel seems to be nothing but hurry up and wait - you race to the airport two hours before your flight time, and then depart two hours late.

See also: and, hurry, up

lie in wait

1. to stay hidden, ready to attack Police said the suspect was lying in wait in a dark hallway. This person was found behind a wall, as if he were lying in wait for someone.

2. to delay doing something until the best time for it The smart thing to do is lie in wait for the right time to ask for a raise.

Related vocabulary: lie low

See also: lie

wait (on) tables

to serve meals to people in a restaurant She earned the money for college by waiting tables.

See also: table

wait somebody out also wait out somebody

to allow time to go past until someone does something I have time and he doesn't, so I'll wait him out until he agrees to sell the business to me. She hoped to wait out her opponent, but that has not worked.

See also: out

wait a minute (spoken)

I have just thought of something important wait a second Wait a minute, what did you say her aunt's name was?

Usage notes: used to interrupt someone

See also: minute

wait a second (spoken)

I have just thought of something important wait a minute Wait a second - when was the last time he stayed here?

Usage notes: usually used to interrupt someone

See also: second

wait and see

to be patient until a later time Nothing can be done about it now, so you'll just have to wait and see.

See also: and, see

wait on somebody

to serve someone She waited on customers all day at the department store. He sits there in front of the TV and expects me to wait on him!

Related vocabulary: wait on somebody hand and foot

wait on somebody hand and foot

to do everything for another person You should do some of the work around here instead of being waited on hand and foot all the time.

Usage notes: often used as a negative remark about someone thought of as unwilling to work

Related vocabulary: wait on somebody

See also: and, foot, hand

wait out something also wait something out

to allow time to go past until something happens or ends Should we leave now or wait out the storm?

See also: out