wait up
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle up
Meanings
Stay awake until someone arrives home
Why “up”? You stay at the needed level, pace, or state.
“Don't wait up for me.”
“Dad waited up until I got home.”
Don't confuse with
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“Don't wait up for me.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
wait on
A contrast learners often mix up
Serve customers in a restaurant
wait out
A contrast learners often mix up
Wait until a difficult situation ends
catch up
Same up pattern: same level
Reach the same level or position as someone ahead; Get up to date with news, work or events you have missed; (of bad behaviour or neglect) start to have unavoidable consequences; Spend time talking to a friend after a period apart
keep up
Same up pattern: same level
Continue at the same level or rate; Move at the same speed as someone else; Stay informed about something current; Prevent someone from going to bed or sleeping; Prevent something from falling down; Maintain pretences, an appearance or a habit; Match the social or financial standard of others
stay up
Same up pattern: same level
Not go to bed at the usual time; Remain in a raised or upright position; (of a price, level or value) remain at a high point
wait around
Same base verb: wait
Remain in the area until something happens
wait for
Same base verb: wait
Stay until someone or something arrives or happens
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