9 English Phrasal Verbs With 'WAIT'

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9 phrasal verbs with 'WAIT'

Wait about

1. Wait somewhere doing nothing
   (Intransitive | International English)
   
   » Example: I WAITED ABOUT for an hour, but they didn't come.

Wait around

1. Wait somewhere doing nothing
   (Intransitive | International English)
   
   » Example: They were just WAITING AROUND to see if anything was going to happen.

Wait behind

1. Stay somewhere after other people have left
   (Intransitive | International English)
   
   » Example: I WAITED BEHIND to ask the lecturer a question.

Wait in

1. Stay at home because someone is going to visit
   (Intransitive | British English)
   
   » Example: I WAITED IN for the guy to fix the TV.

Wait on

1. Serve people in a restaurant
   (Inseparable | International English)
   
   » Example: They have two people WAITING ON each table.
2. Sell goods in a shop
   (Inseparable | American English)
   
   » Example: He WAITS ON customers in an electronics store.
3. Provide someone with everything they need or want
   (Inseparable | International English)
   
   » Example: He has a butler who WAITS ON him.
4. Wait for a result before being able to make a decision
   (Inseparable | International English)
   
   » Example: They're WAITING ON the results of the vote before taking a final decision.

Wait out

1. Wait till something has finished, usually something unpleasant
   (Separable [optional] | International English)
   
   » Example: We'll have to WAIT OUT this uncertainty.

Wait up

1. Not go to bed because you are waiting
   (Intransitive | International English)
   
   » Example: I was worried and WAITED UP until they got home safe and sound.

Wait up!

1. Stop (imperative)
   (Intransitive | American English)
   
   » Example: Wait up! I need to talk to you.

Wait upon

1. Provide someone with what they require
   (Inseparable | International English)
   
   » Example: They used to have servants WAITING UPON them.
2. Wait for a result before being able to make a decision
   (Inseparable | International English)
   
   » Example: They must WAIT UPON the outcome of the match before they know who they'll be playing.

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