what are you waiting for?

This page is about the conversational phrase what are you waiting for?

Meaning

You can say this if you want someone to do something immediately.

For example

  • "What are you waiting for? We've got to go!"

  • "The taxi's here."
    "So what are you waiting for? Off you go!"

Note:
Also has a literal meaning, as in "What are you waiting for?" "The bus."

Quick Quiz

If somebody says "What are you waiting for?", they want you to

a. stop waiting for something

b. do something right away

c. wait a little bit longer
a) stop waiting for something b) do something right away c) wait a little bit longer

Contributor: Matt Errey