wait on

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The phrase "wait on" can have a couple of different meanings in English, but it is primarily used as a verb. Here’s a simple explanation for a new English learner:

Basic Definition:

"Wait on" means to serve someone, especially in a restaurant or store. It can also mean to attend to someone's needs or to help them.

Usage Instructions:

• Use "wait on" when you are talking about serving food or drinks to customers.
• You can also use it when talking about helping someone, like an elderly person or a guest.

Examples:

1. In a Restaurant: "Can you wait on our table, please?" (This means asking someone to serve the people at the table.)
2. Attending to Someone: "She waits on her grandmother every weekend." (This means she helps her grandmother with things she needs.)

Advanced Usage:

• "Wait on" can also imply waiting for something or someone to happen. For example: "I will wait on the results of my exam before making any plans." (Here, it means to wait for the results.)

Word Variants:

• Waiter: A person who serves food in a restaurant.
• Waitress: A female person who serves food in a restaurant.
• Waiting: The act of serving or attending to someone.

Different Meanings:

• Wait on (someone): To serve (as mentioned above).
• Wait on (something): To wait for something to happen.

Synonyms:

• Serve
• Assist
• Attend to
• Take care of

Idioms:

While "wait on" is not typically used in idioms, the phrase "wait on someone hand and foot" means to serve someone very eagerly and thoroughly, often implying that you do everything for them.

Phrasal Verb:

• Wait on is itself a phrasal verb, combining "wait" with the preposition "on" to give it the meaning of serving someone.

Academic

Verb

1. work for or be a servant to
   • May I serve you?
   • She attends the old lady in the wheelchair
   • Can you wait on our table, please?
   • Is a salesperson assisting you?
   • The minister served the King for many years

Synonyms

• serve
• attend to
• attend
• assist