wait : Idioms & Phrases

Index

call waiting

  • noun a way of letting you know that someone else is calling when you are using your telephone
WordNet

In waiting

  • in attendance; as, lords in waiting. Eng.
Webster 1913

Lady in waiting

  • a lady of the queen's household, appointed to wait upon or attend the queen.
Webster 1913

lady-in-waiting

  • noun a lady appointed to attend to a queen or princess
WordNet

lie in wait

  • verb wait in hiding to attack
    scupper; lurk; bushwhack; ambush; waylay; ambuscade.
WordNet

lying in wait

  • noun the act of concealing yourself and lying in wait to attack by surprise
    ambush; ambuscade; trap.
  • adjective satellite waiting in concealment; in ambush
    • an army lying in wait in the forest
WordNet

ready and waiting

  • adjective satellite being and remaining ready and available for use
    waiting.
    • waiting cars and limousines lined the curb
    • found her mother waiting for them
    • an impressive array of food ready and waiting for the guests
    • military forces ready and waiting
WordNet

To lay wait

  • to prepare an ambuscade.
Webster 1913

To lay wait for

  • to lie in ambush for.
Webster 1913

To lie in wait

  • to wait in concealment; to lie in ambush.
Webster 1913

To wait on ∨ upon

  • . (a) To attend, as a servant; to perform services for; as, to wait on a gentleman; to wait on the table. "Authority and reason on her wait." Milton. "I must wait on myself, must I?" Shak. (b) To attend; to go to see; to visit on business or for ceremony. (c) To follow, as a consequence; to await. "That ruin that waits on such a supine temper." Dr. H. More. (d) To look watchfully at; to follow with the eye; to watch. R. "It is a point of cunning to wait upon him with whom you speak with your eye." Bacon. (e) To attend to; to perform. "Aaron and his sons . . . shallwait on their priest's office." Num. iii. 10. (f) (Falconry) To fly above its master, waiting till game is sprung; said of a hawk. Encyc. Brit.
Webster 1913

wait on

  • verb work for or be a servant to
    attend; assist; serve; attend to.
    • May I serve you?
    • She attends the old lady in the wheelchair
    • Can you wait on our table, please?
    • Is a salesperson assisting you?
    • The minister served the King for many years
WordNet

waiting area

  • noun a room (as in a hotel or airport) with seating where people can wait
    lounge; waiting area.
WordNet

waiting game

  • noun a strategy of delay
WordNet

waiting line

  • noun a line of people or vehicles waiting for something
    queue.
WordNet

waiting list

  • noun a roster of those waiting to obtain something
WordNet

waiting room

  • noun a room (as in a hotel or airport) with seating where people can wait
    lounge; waiting area.
WordNet