wait up
Medium-HighInformal, conversational
Definition
Meaning
To stop or pause so that someone else can catch up; to delay going to bed until someone arrives.
An informal phrasal verb used to request someone to slow down or wait, often implying companionship or concern. It can also mean to stay awake awaiting someone's return.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily imperative or used in direct requests. Carries a tone of slight urgency or camaraderie.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Slightly more common in American English, but fully understood in British English. In British English, 'hang on' or 'wait for me' might be equally frequent.
Connotations
Friendly, informal. Can imply a close relationship (friends, family) rather than a formal one.
Frequency
Common in spoken language, especially among younger speakers and in casual settings.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Imperative: Wait up!Imperative + for + person: Wait up for me!Subject + wait up + (for + person): I'll wait up (for you).Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Wait up! (standard use is idiomatic)”
- “I'll wait up (means to stay awake).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Very rare. Potentially used in very informal team settings (e.g., walking to a meeting).
Academic
Not used.
Everyday
Very common in casual speech among friends and family.
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Wait up, you lot! I've dropped my wallet.
- I told him not to wait up, as the film finished late.
American English
- Wait up, guys! My shoelace is untied.
- She promised to wait up until her daughter got home from the dance.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Wait up! I'm coming too.
- The children ran ahead and their mother shouted, 'Wait up!'
- Don't start the movie without me—wait up!
- He had to wait up for his brother who was working the late shift.
- Realising he was being left behind, he called out for his friends to wait up.
- It's sweet that your parents still wait up for you when you're out late.
- The guide urged the faster hikers to wait up for the rest of the group, emphasizing the importance of staying together.
- A sense of nostalgic responsibility compelled her to wait up, just as her own mother had done decades before.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine shouting 'Wait up!' to a friend who is walking too fast UP the street.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME/ARRIVAL IS A RACE (slowing down allows others to catch up).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Direct translation 'жди вверх' is nonsense. Use 'Подожди(те)!' or 'Постой(те)!', or specifically 'Подожди меня!' (Wait for me).
Common Mistakes
- Using it in formal writing. *'Please wait up for the next announcement' is incorrect. Using it without an intended listener: *'I wait up every night.' (This changes meaning to 'stay awake').
Practice
Quiz
In which situation would 'wait up' be LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is strictly informal and used in casual, spoken language.
Yes, in a different construction. 'I'll wait up for you' means 'I'll stay awake until you come home.' The shouted command 'Wait up!' does not have this meaning.
'Wait up' is more urgent and casual, often shouted. 'Wait for me' is more standard and neutral.
Yes, it is understood and used, though alternatives like 'hang on' are also very common.