wait

verb

1. 等；等待；等候
   to stay where you are or delay doing sth until sb/sth comes or sth happens
   1. She rang the bell and waited.
      她按铃后等候着。
   2. Have you been waiting long?
      你等了很久了吗？
   3. I've been waiting (for) twenty minutes.
      我等了二十分钟。
   4. Wait for me!
      等等我！
   5. We're waiting for the rain to stop before we go out.
      我们要等到雨停了再出去。
   6. I'll wait outside until the meeting's over.
      我要在外面等到会议结束。
   7. Hurry up! We're waiting to go.
      快点儿，我们等着走呢。
   8. You'll just have to wait your turn (= wait until your turn comes) .
      你得等着轮到你才行。
2. （尤指长期地）希望，盼望，期待
   to hope or watch for sth to happen, especially for a long time
   1. Leeds United had waited for success for eighteen years.
      利兹联队企盼夺冠已经十八年了。
   2. This is just the opportunity I've been waiting for.
      这正是我一直在期待的机会。
   3. He's waiting for me to make a mistake.
      他正盼着我出错呢。
   4. I waited my chance and slipped out when no one was looking.
      我等待时机，趁没人注意时溜了出去。
3. 准备妥；在手边；可得到；可使用
   to be ready for sb to have or use
   1. There's a letter waiting for you at home.
      家里有你一封信。
   2. The hotel had a taxi waiting to collect us.
      旅馆召了辆出租车等着接我们。
4. 推迟；搁置；延缓
   to be left to be dealt with at a later time because it is not urgent
   1. I've got some calls to make but they can wait until tomorrow.
      我有几个电话要打，不过可以等到明天再说。

noun

1. 等候；等待；等待的时间
   an act of waiting; an amount of time waited
   1. We had a long wait for the bus.
      我们等公共汽车等了很长时间。
   2. He now faces an agonizing two-month wait for the test results.
      他现在要苦苦等待两个月才能拿到测验结果。

1. VERB 等待;等候
   When you wait for something or someone, you spend some time doing very little, because you cannot act until that thing happens or that person arrives.
   1. I walk to a street corner and wait for the school bus...
      我走到街角等校车。
   2. Stop waiting for things to happen. Make them happen...
      不要坐等事情发生。要创造条件让它们发生。
   3. I waited to see how she responded...
      我等着看她如何回应。
   4. Angus got out of the car to wait...
      安格斯从汽车里出来等着。
   5. We will have to wait a week or so before we know whether the operation is a success...
      我们还得等一周左右才能知道手术是否成功。
   6. He told waiting journalists that he did not expect a referendum to be held for several months.
      他告诉守候着的记者，他认为几个月内不会举行全民公决。
2. N-COUNT 等待;等待的时间
   A wait is a period of time in which you do very little, before something happens or before you can do something.
   1. ...the four-hour wait for the organizers to declare the result.
      组织者宣布结果之前长达4小时的等待
3. VERB 准备妥当;可获得;可使用
   If something is waiting for you, it is ready for you to use, have, or do.
   1. There'll be a car waiting for you...
      会有辆汽车等你。
   2. When we came home we had a meal waiting for us...
      我们到家时，有一顿美餐正等着我们享用。
   3. Ships with unfurled sails wait to take them aboard...
      船只扬起风帆，等待他们上船。
   4. Three-hundred railway wagons were waiting to be unloaded...
      有300个铁路货车车厢等着卸货。
   5. He had a taxi waiting to take him to the train...
      他让一辆出租车等着带他到火车站去。
   6. The President had his plane waiting, 20 minutes' drive away.
      总统让飞机在20分钟车程的地方等着。
4. VERB 延缓;推迟;搁置
   If you say that something can wait, you mean that it is not important or urgent and so you will deal with it or do it later.
   1. I want to talk to you, but it can wait...
      我想和你谈谈，但可以晚点再说。
   2. Any changes will have to wait until sponsors can be found.
      任何改变都要等找到赞助商之后再作决定。

Do not confuse wait for, expect, and look forward to. When you wait for someone or something, you stay in the same place until the person arrives or the thing happens. Whisky was served while we waited for him... We got off the plane and waited for our luggage. When you are expecting someone or something, you think that the person or thing is going to arrive or that the thing is going to happen. I sent a postcard, so they were expecting me... We are expecting rain. When you look forward to something that is going to happen, you feel happy because you think you will enjoy it. I'll bet you're looking forward to your holidays... I always looked forward to seeing her.
不要混淆 wait for，expect 和 look forward to。wait for 是指在原地等待某人到来或某事发生。例如，Whisky was served while we waited for him (在我们等他的时候，威士忌端上来了)，We got off the plane and waited for our luggage (我们下了飞机，等着取行李)。expect 表示认为某人或某物即将到来，或某事即将发生。例如，I sent a postcard, so they were expecting me (我寄了张明信片，所以他们知道我要来)，We are expecting rain (我们预计会下雨)。look forward to 表示乐于见到某事发生，因为会从中获取乐趣。例如，I'll bet you're looking forward to your holidays (我敢肯定你正盼望着假期)，I always looked forward to seeing her (我总盼望着见到她)。

5. VERB (用于鼓励或威胁)等着
   You can use wait when you are trying to make someone feel excited, or to encourage or threaten them.
   1. If you think this all sounds very exciting, just wait until you read the book...
      如果你觉得所有这些听起来令人兴奋，那就等着去读这本书吧。
   2. As soon as you get some food inside you, you'll feel more cheerful. Just you wait.
      吃点儿东西你就会打起精神的。等着瞧吧。
6. VERB (用于打断讲话)等一下，慢着
   Wait is used in expressions such as wait a minute ,wait a second, and wait a moment to interrupt someone when they are speaking, for example because you object to what they are saying or because you want them to repeat something.
   1. 'Wait a minute!' he broke in. 'This is not giving her a fair hearing!'
      “等一下，”他插嘴说，“这没有给她一个公平的解释机会！”
7. VERB 服务;服侍;招待
   If an employee waits on you, for example in a restaurant or hotel, they take orders from you and bring you what you want.
   1. There were plenty of servants to wait on her...
      有很多仆人服侍她。
   2. Each student is expected to wait at table for one week each semester.
      每学期每个学生都要在餐厅服务一周。
8. PHRASE 等不及;迫不及待;渴望
   If you say that you can't wait to do something or can hardly wait to do it, you are emphasizing that you are very excited about it and eager to do it.
   1. We can't wait to get started...
      我们迫不及待地想开始。
   2. It's gonna be great. I can hardly wait...
      那一定很棒。我都等不及了。
   3. I could hardly wait to get out of there.
      我迫不及待地要离开那里。
9. CONVENTION (让人在命令下达前勿提前做某事)等一等
   You say 'wait for it' to stop someone from doing something too soon because you have not yet given them the command to do it.
   1. Arms bend. Arms upward. Wait for it. Stretch.
      手臂弯曲。手臂上举。保持一下。伸展。
10. PHRASE (表示接下来要说的内容非常有趣或令人惊奇)注意了，听好了
    You can use 'wait for it' to indicate that you are about to say something that is amusing or surprising.
    1. A cool $500,000 is to be spent on obtaining genuine 17th-century air from the inside of, wait for it, an occupied lead coffin.
       将花费整整50万美元获取货真价实的17世纪的空气，注意了，是从一个内有尸体的铅制棺材里获得。
11. PHRASE 等着瞧;等等看
    If you tell someone to wait and see, you tell them that they must be patient or that they must not worry about what is going to happen in the future because they have no control over it.
    1. We'll have to wait and see what happens.
       我们只好等等看将会发生什么。
    2. ...a wait-and-see attitude.
       观望态度
12. PHRASE (表示催促)你还等什么呢？
    If you say to someone 'What are you waiting for?' you are telling them to hurry up and do something.
    1. Well, what are you waiting for? Do I have to ask you for a kiss?
       那你还等什么呢？难道要我求你吻我吗？
13. an accident waiting to happen → see: accident

1. Wait a minute! I'm beginning to catch on.
   等一下！我开始有点懂了。
2. Just wait for me in the lounge.
   请在休息室里等我就行了。
3. I walk to a street corner and wait for the school bus
   我走到街角等校车。
4. Stop waiting for things to happen. Make them happen
   不要坐等事情发生。要创造条件让它们发生。
5. I waited to see how she responded
   我等着看她如何回应。
6. Angus got out of the car to wait
   安格斯从汽车里出来等着。
7. We will have to wait a week or so before we know whether the operation is a success
   我们还得等一周左右才能知道手术是否成功。
8. He told waiting journalists that he did not expect a referendum to be held for several months.
   他告诉守候着的记者，他认为几个月内不会举行全民公决。
9. There'll be a car waiting for you
   会有辆汽车等你。
10. When we came home we had a meal waiting for us
    我们到家时，有一顿美餐正等着我们享用。
11. Ships with unfurled sails wait to take them aboard
    船只扬起风帆，等待他们上船。
12. Three-hundred railway wagons were waiting to be unloaded
    有300个铁路货车车厢等着卸货。
13. He had a taxi waiting to take him to the train
    他让一辆出租车等着带他到火车站去。
14. The President had his plane waiting, 20 minutes 'drive away.
    总统让飞机在20分钟车程的地方等着。
15. I want to talk to you, but it can wait
    我想和你谈谈，但可以晚点再说。
16. Any changes will have to wait until sponsors can be found.
    任何改变都要等找到赞助商之后再作决定。
17. If you think this all sounds very exciting, just wait until you read the book
    如果你觉得所有这些听起来令人兴奋，那就等着去读这本书吧。
18. As soon as you get some food inside you, you'll feel more cheerful. Just you wait.
    吃点儿东西你就会打起精神的。等着瞧吧。
19. 'Wait a minute!' he broke in. 'This is not giving her a fair hearing!'
    “等一下，”他插嘴说，“这没有给她一个公平的解释机会！”
20. There were plenty of servants to wait on her
    有很多仆人服侍她。
21. Each student is expected to wait at table for one week each semester.
    每学期每个学生都要在餐厅服务一周。
22. We can't wait to get started
    我们迫不及待地想开始。
23. It's gonna be great. I can hardly wait
    那一定很棒。我都等不及了。
24. I could hardly wait to get out of there.
    我迫不及待地要离开那里。
25. Arms bend. Arms upward. Wait for it. Stretch.
    手臂弯曲。手臂上举。保持一下。伸展。
26. We'll have to wait and see what happens.
    我们只好等等看将会发生什么。
27. Well, what are you waiting for? Do I have to ask you for a kiss?
    那你还等什么呢？难道要我求你吻我吗？
28. Tell them not to wait.
    告诉他们别等了。
29. In that case, we won't wait any longer.
    那我们就不再等了。

wait about/around

1. 白白等着；空等
   to stay in a place, with nothing particular to do, for example because you are expecting sth to happen or sb to arrive
   1. She rang the bell and waited.
      她按铃后等候着。
   2. Have you been waiting long?
      你等了很久了吗？
   3. I've been waiting (for) twenty minutes.
      我等了二十分钟。
   4. Wait for me!
      等等我！
   5. We're waiting for the rain to stop before we go out.
      我们要等到雨停了再出去。
   6. I'll wait outside until the meeting's over.
      我要在外面等到会议结束。
   7. Hurry up! We're waiting to go.
      快点儿，我们等着走呢。
   8. You'll just have to wait your turn (= wait until your turn comes) .
      你得等着轮到你才行。

wait behind

1. 等到他人走后留下来（尤指为与人私下谈话）
   to stay after other people have gone, especially to speak to sb privately
   1. There's a letter waiting for you at home.
      家里有你一封信。
   2. The hotel had a taxi waiting to collect us.
      旅馆召了辆出租车等着接我们。

wait in

1. 在家等候（人、电话等）
   to stay at home because you are expecting sb to come, telephone, etc.

wait on sb

1. 伺候，服侍，招待（尤指进餐）
   to act as a servant to sb, especially by serving food to them

wait on sth/sb

1. 等待…（才采取行动或作出决定）
   to wait for sth to happen before you do or decide sth

wait sth↔out

1. 等待（令人不快的事情）结束
   to wait until an unpleasant event has finished

wait up

1. 等一等，慢点走（以便某人赶上）
   used to ask sb to stop or go more slowly so that you can join them

wait up (for sb)

1. 熬夜，不睡觉（等人回家）
   to wait for sb to come home at night before you go to bed

v.

an accident/a disaster waiting to happen

• 隐患
  a thing or person that is very likely to cause danger or a problem in the future because of the condition it is in or the way they behave

I, they, etc. can't wait/can hardly wait

• （我、他们等）迫不及待
  used when you are emphasizing that sb is very excited about sth or keen to do it
  1. The children can't wait for Christmas to come.
     孩子们等圣诞节都等不及了。
  2. I can hardly wait to see him again.
     我迫不及待地想再次见到他。

keep sb waiting

• （尤指因迟到）让人等候，使人耽搁
  to make sb have to wait or be delayed, especially because you arrive late
  1. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting.
     对不起，让你久等了。

wait and see

• 耐心等待；等着瞧
  used to tell sb that they must be patient and wait to find out about sth later
  1. We'll just have to wait and see─there's nothing we can do at the moment.
     我们只得等等看，眼下没有法子。
  2. a wait-and-see policy
     等待观望的政策
  3. ‘Where are we going?’ ‘Wait and see!’
     “我们到哪里去？”“等着瞧吧！”

wait at table

• 伺候进餐；（往饭桌上）端饭上菜
  to serve food to people, for example at a formal meal

wait for it

• （要说出令人吃惊或高兴的事情）听着，听好了
  used to say that you are about to tell sb sth that is surprising or amusing
  1. They're off on a trip, to─wait for it─the Maldives!
     他们外出旅行，到——听好了——马尔代夫群岛！
• （让人在得到通知前别做某事）等候通知
  used to tell sb not to start doing sth yet, but to wait until you tell them

wait a minute/moment/second

• 等一会儿；稍等一下
  to wait for a short time
  1. Can you wait a second while I make a call?
     你能等一会儿让我打个电话吗？
• （刚注意到、想起某事或突然有了个主意）且慢，等一等
  used when you have just noticed or remembered sth, or had a sudden idea
  1. Wait a minute─this isn't the right key.
     等一等，不是这把钥匙。

wait on sb hand and foot

• 过分照顾；让…饭来张口，衣来伸手
  to take care of sb's needs so well that they do not have to do anything for themselves

wait tables

• （在餐馆）端盘子，招待顾客
  to work serving food to people in a restaurant

wait till/until…

• （兴奋地表示或展示某事物）等到…吧
  used to show that you are very excited about telling or showing sth to sb
  1. Wait till you see what I've found!
     你等着看我发现了什么吧！

what are we waiting for?

• （建议都应开始去做商议中的事）我们还在等什么呢
  used to suggest that you should all start doing what you have been discussing

what are you waiting for?

• （让人马上就干而不要往后拖）你还等什么呢
  used to tell sb to do sth now rather than later
  1. If the car needs cleaning, what are you waiting for?
     如果这辆汽车需要清洗，你还在等什么呢？

(just) you wait

• （用以加强威胁、警告或允诺的语气）你就等着吧，你就等着瞧
  used to emphasize a threat, warning or promise
  1. I'll be famous one day, just you wait!
     我有朝一日会出名的，你就等着瞧吧！

(waiting) in the wings

• 准备接替某工作；准备就绪
  ready to take over a particular job or be used in a particular situation when needed

n.

lie in wait (for sb)

• 隐蔽待机以出其不意；伏击；埋伏以待
  to hide, waiting to surprise, attack or catch sb
  1. He was surrounded by reporters who had been lying in wait for him.
     他被暗中守候他的记者团团围住。

noun

1. the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
   1. the wait was an ordeal for him

   Synonym:    waiting

2. time during which some action is awaited
   1. instant replay caused too long a delay
   2. he ordered a hold in the action

   Synonym:    delayholdtime lagpostponement

verb

1. look forward to the probable occurrence of
   1. We were expecting a visit from our relatives
   2. She is looking to a promotion
   3. he is waiting to be drafted

   Synonym:    expectlookawait

2. serve as a waiter or waitress in a restaurant
   1. I'm waiting on tables at Maxim's

   Synonym:    waitress

3. stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
   1. I had to wait on line for an hour to get the tickets

4. wait before acting
   1. the scientists held off announcing their results until they repeated the experiment

   Synonym:    hold offhold back