wait for lunch

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wait for lunch" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that someone should hold off on eating or doing something until lunchtime. Example: "I suggest you wait for lunch before making any decisions about what to eat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"Now we must wait for lunch".

The New York Times - Travel

You come back to the shelter and wait for lunch.

The Guardian - Books

She begins eating pistachio nuts while we wait for lunch.

The New York Times - Magazine

While people wait for lunch, several community health groups set up tables.

The New York Times

His characters are the ones on a field trip who can't wait for lunch.

The New York Times

Some just sit and wait for lunch, as others talk to the staff, receive advice and get some "new" (old) clothes.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

"Life is a stage, and we are all actors," said Ms. Ortiz said as she waited for lunch that day.

The New York Times

The blast opened a hole, forty feet by forty feet, in the port side of the ship, tearing apart sailors belowdecks who were waiting for lunch.

The New Yorker

You can wrap these the day before and either eat them while you are waiting for lunch or serve on the side of your goose.

Independent

"It's been exciting, knowing that they are there," said Lisa Cardwall, waiting for lunch at the Chappaqua Restaurant and Cafe, which the president has visited.

The New York Times

The next day no power at all," Aras Maman, a journalist, told me, after the power went off in the restaurant where we were waiting for lunch.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When giving instructions or advice about timing, use this phrase to indicate a specific temporal boundary. For example, "If you're feeling hungry, wait for lunch; it's only an hour away."

Common error

Avoid using "wait for lunch" when the context requires a more specific time or action beyond merely delaying until lunch. For instance, instead of 'Wait for lunch to start cooking', say 'Start cooking at lunchtime' for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wait for lunch" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or clause, indicating a period of deferment until lunchtime. Ludwig examples showcase its use in various contexts, from delaying decisions to managing hunger.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "wait for lunch" is a grammatically correct and neutrally-toned expression used to indicate a delay or postponement of an action or decision until lunchtime. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and provides examples across diverse contexts, predominantly in News & Media. While not highly frequent, it is readily understood and serves to set a clear temporal boundary. Alternatives include "hold off until lunch" or "defer until lunchtime". Understanding its proper context prevents potential misinterpretations related to temporal scope.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hold off until lunch

Replaces "wait" with "hold off", emphasizing postponement.

defer until lunchtime

Uses "defer" to highlight delaying an action until lunch.

postpone until lunch

Emphasizes the act of delaying until lunch.

anticipate lunchtime

Focuses on the expectation and eagerness for lunch.

await lunchtime

A more formal way to express waiting for lunch.

look forward to lunch

Expresses positive anticipation of lunch.

bide time until lunch

Suggests passing time while waiting for lunch.

kill time until lunchtime

Indicates filling the time while waiting for lunch.

cool heels till lunch

Informal way of saying to relax until lunch.

hold your horses till lunch

Informal way to say wait and be patient until lunch.

FAQs

How can I use "wait for lunch" in a sentence?

You can use "wait for lunch" when suggesting someone delay an action until lunchtime. For example, "I suggest you "wait for lunch" before making any decisions about what to eat."

What are some alternatives to "wait for lunch"?

Alternatives include "hold off until lunch", "defer until lunchtime", or "anticipate lunchtime" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "waiting for lunch" instead of "wait for lunch"?

Yes, "waiting for lunch" is also correct. It implies a continuous action of anticipation, whereas "wait for lunch" is a general instruction or statement about delaying until lunch.

What's the difference between "wait for lunch" and "eat lunch later"?

"Wait for lunch" implies delaying something until lunchtime, while "eat lunch later" simply suggests eating lunch at a later time without necessarily delaying any specific action. They are not interchangeable in all contexts.