wave (redirected from wave-like)

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 someone or something aside

to make a signal with the hand for someone or something to move aside. The police officer waved us aside and would not let us turn into our street. The officer waved aside the spectators. She waved all the traffic aside.

See also: aside

wave someone or something away (from someone or something)

to make a signal with the hand for someone or something to move away from someone or something. The officer waved us away from the intersection where we were about to turn left. The guard waved away the traffic from the intersection.

See also: away

wave someone or something off

to make a signal with the hand for someone or something to remain at a distance. There was someone standing in front of the bridge, waving everyone off. The bridge must have collapsed. He waved off all the traffic.

wave someone or something on

to make a signal with the hand for someone or something to move on or keep moving. The traffic cop waved us on. The cop waved on the hordes of pedestrians.

wave someone back (from something)

to motion someone to move back from something. The police officer waved the curious onlookers back from the scene of the crime. The students started to go onstage, but the teacher waved them back.

See also: back

wave something around

to raise something up and move it around so that everyone can see it. When Ruth found the money, she waved it around so everyone could see it. She kept waving around the dollar she found in the street.

See also: around

wave at someone and wave to someone

to move an upraised hand in such a way as to signal recognition to someone. The people in the boat waved at us. They waved to us after we waved at them.

wave back (at someone)

to return someone's hand signal of greeting. I waved back at her, but she didn't see me. She didn't wave back.

See also: back

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be on the crest of a wave

to be very successful so that many good things happen to you very quickly The band are currently on the crest of a wave, with a new album and a concert tour planned for next year.

catch the wave  (American & Australian)

to try to get an advantage for yourself by becoming involved with something that is becoming popular or fashionable Older Spanish restaurants are expanding to try to catch the tapas wave.

See also: catch

fly/show/wave the flag

to support or to represent your country (often + for ) In the absence of any other Italian film directors, Mr Infascelli bravely flew the flag for his country.

See also: flag, fly

kiss/say/wave goodbye to something

if you say goodbye to something, you accept that you will not have it any more or that you will not get it You can say goodbye to your £10. Tom never repays his debts.

See also: goodbye, kiss

ride (on) a/the wave

to become involved with and get advantages from opinions or activities which have become very common or popular (often + of ) She came to power riding on a wave of personal popularity.

See also: ride

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catch the wave

to understand and behave according to the most modern fashions in social behavior The company's move was aimed at catching the wave of consumers rushing to the Web. Is the topic hip enough for TV to want to catch the wave?

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of catch a wave (to start riding a board across the rolling surface of the sea)

See also: catch

ride a wave of something also ride the wave of something

to be helped by being connected to something attractive or interesting The president rode a wave of good feeling among voters that made it impossible for him to lose the election.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of ride a wave (to stand on a board moving across the rolling surface of the sea)

See also: ride

wave a magic wand

to solve a difficult problem with no effort Unfortunately, you can't just wave a magic wand and get rid of poverty.

Etymology: from the practice of waving a wand (a special stick) when someone is doing a magic trick

See also: magic, wand

wave the flag also show the flag

to defend and support someone or something Marsalis waves the flag better than anyone and attracts new fans to jazz all the time. Brown's job is to show the flag for the president and remind voters that he is working for them.

Usage notes: also used in the form fly the flag: When she was in jail, several newspapers flew the flag for her.

See also: flag