phrase

bare with me

BAIR with mee

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Bare with me (phrase) means a very common misspelling of bear with me, the request meaning 'please be patient with me for a moment'. Written literally, bare with me would be an invitation to undress together, which is why the error is often pointed out. Example: “Bare with me while I find the file — the correct spelling is bear with me.”

phrase

nonstandard A very common misspelling of bear with me, the request meaning 'please be patient with me for a moment'. Written literally, bare with me would be an invitation to undress together, which is why the error is often pointed out.

"Bare with me while I find the file — the correct spelling is bear with me."

"He emailed the whole department asking them to bare with him."

How to use bare with me

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishPeople mean 'be patient with me', but they have spelt bear wrongly.

When to use it

Always an error. Use bear with me in any writing you care about.

Memory tip

Bare means uncovered; bear means to carry or endure. The same trap catches 'bear in mind', which is also never bare.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

bear with me bare with me → bare in mind

Common pairings

bear with me a moment bear with me while I please bear with us

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “bare with me” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

_____ while I find the file — the correct spelling is bear with me.

Etymology

An error for bear with me, in which bear carries the old sense 'to endure or put up with'.

Origin: English

Synonyms

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bear with me give me a moment one moment please

Frequently asked questions

Is it bare with me or bear with me?

Bear with me is correct. Bear here means to tolerate or endure, so you are asking someone to endure a short delay. Bare means naked or uncovered, so bare with me literally asks them to undress with you.

Why do so many people write bare with me?

The two words are homophones in most English accents, so there is no sound cue to correct you, and bear is far more familiar as the animal than as a verb meaning endure. The same confusion produces 'bare in mind' for 'bear in mind'.

What is the meaning of bare with me?

"bare with me" (phrase) means a very common misspelling of bear with me, the request meaning 'please be patient with me for a moment'. Written literally, bare with me would be an invitation to undress together, which is why the error is often pointed out.

What is another word for bare with me?

Other words for "bare with me" include bear with me, give me a moment, one moment please.