wait up

present singular third person waits up · participle present waiting up · participle past waited up · past waited up

1. To stay awake waiting for somebody to return.

   My dad waited up for us, pacing all over the place.

   2011, Susan Calder, Deadly Fall, page 99

   5 more examples

   Anyway, Dad waited up for them. It must have been about midnight when they came in.

   1980, Joe Garner, Never Fly Over an Eagle's Nest, page 66

   It is one a.m. on a Sunday morning and I'm waiting up for my teenage son, who was supposed to be home at midnight.

   2005, Kathryn E. Livingston, All About Motherhood, page 55

   One night, Lana came home, while her dad waited up for her.

   2008, Michael Panar, Changes

   Dad waited up at first, but by the end of sophomore year he was always in bed.

   2011, Catherine Greenman, Hooked, page 203

   While she waits up You chase down the newest thing and take for granted what you have

   2012, Taylor Swift, “Girl at Home”, in Red, performed by Taylor Swift

2. UScolloquialoftenTo wait.

   We have to wait up for Steve.

   1 more example

   Hey, wait up! I forgot my umbrella.