wait a minute/moment/second
idiom
1
—used to tell someone to stop and wait briefly
Wait a minute. I need to tie my shoe.
If you will just wait a second, I can explain what happened.
2
—used to interrupt someone or something because one has noticed, thought of, or remembered something
Wait a second—that's not what she said.
Wait a minute. I just remembered where I put the keys.
Examples of wait a minute/moment/second in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Though, one source notes, security was so tight that Montana, 68, had to wait a moment before greeting the Chiefs quarterback.
—
Bailey Richards, People.com, 9 Feb. 2025
For that kid to see me and Noah on the screen and go, hey, wait a minute, that’s someone like me on TV to watch it any time.
—Scott Powers, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024
And—wait a second—why are the eggs that are available so expensive?
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 25 Jan. 2025
Having someone here who can say, ‘Well, wait a minute.
—Elizabeth Hernandez, The Denver Post, 18 Jan. 2025
Better yet, beauty lovers don’t need to wait a moment longer for coveted skin-care, makeup, and devices to go sale—so many great products already are!
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 22 Nov. 2024
After shampooing, apply it to wet hair—then wait a minute and rinse it out.
—Jenny Berg, Allure, 31 Dec. 2024
But wait a second because … Here comes that epilogue!
—Jayson Stark, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024
Better yet, beauty lovers don’t need to wait a moment longer for coveted skin-care, makeup, and devices to go sale—so many great products and gifts for women already are!
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 29 Nov. 2024
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Bailey Richards, People.com, 9 Feb. 2025
For that kid to see me and Noah on the screen and go, hey, wait a minute, that’s someone like me on TV to watch it any time.
—Scott Powers, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024
And—wait a second—why are the eggs that are available so expensive?
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 25 Jan. 2025
Having someone here who can say, ‘Well, wait a minute.
—Elizabeth Hernandez, The Denver Post, 18 Jan. 2025
Better yet, beauty lovers don’t need to wait a moment longer for coveted skin-care, makeup, and devices to go sale—so many great products already are!
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 22 Nov. 2024
After shampooing, apply it to wet hair—then wait a minute and rinse it out.
—Jenny Berg, Allure, 31 Dec. 2024
But wait a second because … Here comes that epilogue!
—Jayson Stark, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024
Better yet, beauty lovers don’t need to wait a moment longer for coveted skin-care, makeup, and devices to go sale—so many great products and gifts for women already are!
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 29 Nov. 2024
Dictionary Entries Near wait a minute/moment/second
Cite this Entry
“Wait a minute/moment/second.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wait%20a%20minute%2Fmoment%2Fsecond. Accessed 15 Feb. 2025.
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