waiting up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "waiting up" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe the act of staying awake for someone who is expected to return home late, often to ensure their safety or to greet them. Example: "I was waiting up for my sister to come home from the party, worried about her getting back late."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They're probably all waiting up".

The New Yorker

"You were waiting up for her.

The New Yorker

The producer's wife was waiting up for them.

The New Yorker

"Hope my old bird ain't waiting up for that ring".

The New York Times

"Were you waiting up to meet him?" She nods.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I wondered if my wife was waiting up for me.

The New York Times - Magazine

It turned out to be worth waiting up for.

The New Yorker

A fifth, or 22%, were waiting up to four months and 14% were waiting up to six months.

The Guardian - Business

Meanwhile, the crowd waiting up by the bar for tables stares bullets if you linger.

The New York Times - Food

I'll be waiting up for heaven, Countin' every mile of railroad track That takes me back.

The New York Times - Arts

My mum was waiting up for him and he didn't come home.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "waiting up" to add a sense of anticipation or concern to a situation, highlighting the emotional aspect of staying awake for someone or something.

Common error

Avoid using "waiting up" when simply referring to being awake late without a specific expectation or purpose. Use "staying up" instead if there's no one you are waiting for, to avoid implying unnecessary worry or anticipation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "waiting up" is that of a verb phrase, functioning as a present participle describing an ongoing action. Ludwig provides examples where it indicates the act of remaining awake in anticipation of someone's arrival or some event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "waiting up" is a commonly used and grammatically sound verb phrase that describes the act of staying awake to await someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While semantically related phrases like "staying awake" or "keeping vigil" can be used, "waiting up" specifically implies anticipation or concern. When using the phrase, it's important to ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is being waited for, avoiding ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not going to bed

Simple and direct alternative, focusing solely on the action of avoiding sleep.

staying awake

Focuses on the act of not sleeping, removing the explicit reason of waiting for someone or something.

delaying sleep

Directly addresses the action of postponing sleep, without necessarily implying waiting for someone.

keeping vigil

Implies a more formal or serious form of waiting, often associated with watching over someone or something important.

postponing bedtime

Specifically refers to delaying one's regular sleep schedule, suitable in contexts of personal choice or necessity.

remaining unsleeping

A more literary or formal way to express staying awake, emphasizing the lack of sleep.

awaiting expectantly

Emphasizes the hopeful anticipation involved in waiting, adding an emotional dimension to the act.

tarrying

Highlights the act of delaying departure or staying longer than expected, applicable when waiting involves delayed action.

lingering

Suggests staying in a place or state longer than necessary, shifting the focus from anticipation to duration.

sitting up

Emphasizes the physical act of being upright instead of lying down while waiting, less common but contextually relevant.

FAQs

What does "waiting up" mean?

"Waiting up" means staying awake later than usual, typically to await someone's arrival or the occurrence of an event. It often implies anticipation or concern.

What can I say instead of "waiting up"?

You can use alternatives like "staying awake", "keeping vigil", or "not going to bed" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "waiting up for" someone?

Yes, it is correct. The preposition "for" indicates who or what you are waiting for. For example, "I am waiting up for my friend".

What's the difference between "waiting up" and "staying up"?

"Waiting up" implies a specific purpose of staying awake to await someone or something. "Staying up" simply means remaining awake later than usual, without necessarily waiting for anything in particular.