General
hurry up and wait
What does hurry up and wait mean?
The military pattern of being ordered to prepare and assemble quickly only to stand idle while nothing happens.
"Report at 0400 for a flight that boards at noon: classic hurry up and wait."
Origin
U.S. military, dating to at least the 1940s.
Frequently asked questions
What does "hurry up and wait" mean?
It describes being ordered to prepare and assemble quickly only to then stand around idle while nothing happens.
Where does the phrase come from?
It comes from the U.S. military and dates back to at least the 1940s, capturing a common frustration of service life.
Is it only used in the military?
It started as military slang but is now used widely for any situation where you rush to be ready and then wait a long time.
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Vocabulary Flow — saved to your collection.
