What would you say to tell someone to wait?
‘One moment, please.’
That’s okay but first, let’s also learn casual language for the expression ‘one moment, please.’
When we need people to wait, even for a short time, we need to say the right things to let them know about the delay. Here are ways to tell someone to wait in everyday conversations, from the formal to the slang.
Professional, formal, everyday situations
- One moment, please.
- Just a moment/minute, please.
- Bear with me, please. (= please be patient for a moment)
- I won’t be long. (= the other person will only need to wait for a short time)
Casual – colleagues at work, friends
- Wait/just a second.
- Just a sec.
- Just a moment/minute.
- Excuse me for just a moment/minute.
Slang – friends, family and when we are in a hurry
- Hold on (a sec)!
- Hang on (for a minute/a second/ a sec)!
- Gimme (= give me) a moment/minute/second.
- Hold your horses! (Idiom) Where are you going without your jacket! It’s cold outside!
- Hold your horses! Did you say we have to meet at 5 tomorrow?
- Hold your horses. Let’s calm down for a moment.
Note: in the UK and Australia, you might hear:
- Just a tick.
- Wait a tick.
- Hold on a tick.
