wait up

verb

1. to delay going to bed in order to await some event
2. informal.
   to halt and pause in order that another person may catch up

Example Sentences

It says some patients can wait up to five years for specialist support, and that some services are so overstretched they have closed their waiting lists entirely.

From BBC

Erin Mellon, a spokesperson for Newsom, said that in the event of a financial crisis the measure would require government to wait up to two years for the next ballot to raise taxes, “potentially putting lives and our economy at risk.”

From Los Angeles Times

“Mom! I tried to wait up to see you last night, but I fell asleep.”

From Literature

“Not if this rain continues. They’ll wait up for you at home.”

From Literature

Other times, she might wait up to an hour to use a dirty toilet shared with thousands of other people.

From New York Times