wait up
verb1
To stay awake waiting for somebody to return.
- 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:
4 more examples
- 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:
- My dad waited up for us, pacing all over the place.2011, Susan Calder, Deadly Fall, page 99:
- While she waits up You chase down the newest thing and take for granted what you have2012, Taylor Swift, “Girl at Home”, in Red, performed by Taylor Swift:
2
US, Colloquial, Often, Used in the imperative To wait.
- Hey, wait up! I forgot my umbrella.
- We have to wait up for Steve.