wait for someone—
1. remain in a place in expectation of a person or thing:
- When she got there Tommy was waiting for her on the front steps.
2. (of things) be ready or available for a person to use:
- His car waited for him in the parking lot and he jumped behind the wheel.
3. stop or pause so that another person can catch up:
- The faster scouts will want to hike to the next trail intersection and wait for the slower hikers.
Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase wait on someone—
1. serve people in a restaurant, shop, etc.:
- Duties include setting tables, serving food, waiting on customers and any other tasks required.
2. (of a butler, nurse, etc.) attend on a person:
- She was an earnest church worker and was at all times to be found calling and waiting on the sick.
wait up for someone—
1. stay late out of bed until smb. arrives:
- I may be late, but please don’t wait up for me.
2. = wait for someone 3:
- They were able to keep up a steady pace, with only a minimal amount of the stop and go that happens when the faster riders wait up for the slower ones.