When You Need to Tell Someone to Wait, Here’s How
We live in a fast-paced world and things happen quickly. Now more than ever, 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. There are lots of ways we tell someone to wait in everyday conversations, from the formal to the slang.
In today’s Confident English lesson, you’ll learn 10 common ways we tell someone to wait in English.
Plus you’ll get examples of how we use these phrases in sentences that you can use on the phone, at work, or with friends and neighbors.
After you watch the video, be sure to check out the challenge questions at the end to get practice and feedback.
10 Ways to Tell Someone to Wait.
Lesson by Annemarie
10 Ways to Tell Someone to Wait in English
“Hang on, why was he at the concert, I thought he had to work?“
In the video lesson, you learned 10 expressions we use to tell someone to wait. For example situations and sentences, be sure to watch the full video. But here’s a quick reference list of those expressions.
Professional
- Just a moment (please)
- Bear with me
- I won’t be long
Casual
- Just a second
- Just a sec
- Just a minute
- Just a tick (Australia)
Slang
- Hold on!
- Hang on!
- Gimme a minute
- Hold your horses (idiom)
Now that you’ve watched the video lesson, it’s your turn to put these into action.
Review the 3 situations below and tell me what would you say to tell someone to wait? Share with me in the comments section below. It’s the best way to get practice and to learn from others in the Confident English Community.
- An important package delivery has arrived while you are on the telephone with your colleague, the courier has a question for you. What do you say?
- You are in the supermarket and you see someone walking away without their bag of groceries.
- Your friend just told you that two of your high school friends, who never got along and never liked each other, are getting married.
Have a fantastic Confident English Wednesday!
~ Annemarie
Get the Confidence to Say What You Want in English
Follow my 3-step solution to speak English with clarity, fluency, and freedom so you can say what you want with confidence.
You'll also get my Confident English lessons delivered by email every Wednesday and occasional information about available courses. You can unsubscribe any time.
More Like This
#337: English Reading Practice to Be More Fluent | Proven Steps
Use English reading practice to be more fluent. Learn how to remember vocabulary, improve grammar, and speak English confidently in real conversations.
#336: English Conversations on How Much and How Many | Advanced Vocabulary
Struggling to describe amounts naturally in English? If you keep using “some” and “a lot” in conversations, you might sound repetitive or unclear. In this lesson, you’ll learn precise, natural English expressions to talk about how much and how many.
How to Say No in English Politely (Without Feeling Guilty)
Struggling to say no without guilt? Learn how to say no in English politely—at work and in social situations—without stress. Get confident, professional phrases to refuse requests clearly and kindly.
#335: How to Explain Your Opinions Clearly in English — The Best Professional Connectors
Struggling to express your opinions clearly in English? Learn how to use English connectors to improve English fluency, business English communication, and professional speaking skills.
How to Finally Speak English with Confidence — Even If You’ve Tried Everything
If you’ve been working hard but still don’t feel confident speaking, there’s a reason for it. And here’s how it can change.
How to Be Interesting in English Conversations (Even If You’re Shy)
Do you want to be interesting in English conversations? The good news is, it’s easier than you think & the secret to it might surprise you. I’ll show you how in 6 easy steps.
© Copyright 2014-2025 Speak Confident English | Privacy Policy | Terms & Disclaimer | Online Class Policies
Hi Annemarie. Thank you so much for the lessons you make. They are really helpful for me. And about the challenge:
1.Just a second. The courier is here.
2.Just a second Mr/Mrs. You forgot your bag.
3.Hold your horses! Really? I can’t believe it.
Hi Annemarie , I don’t know ho much I thank you ,for all your helpful and beneficial lessons you provide to improve our language and communication skills as well. I really appreciate your successful and fruitful teaching lessons that only mean that you do care for us and at the same time we need such a support from you. I have just one word it is thank you for everything .
Hi Annemarie mam,
It’s a great lesson for me😊
1. Hold on for a moment ! Courier is there at my doorstep .
2. Excuse me ! You have left your groceries bag here.
3. Hold your horses! What did you say? I don’t believe this.
1)Just a second please ,I need to talk to the courier
2).Hold your horses !You have forgotten your bags !
3)Hang on !Are they really getting married ?
1. hold on. excuse me for just a sec. i won’t be long.
2.hold your horses. you left something.
3.hold on. what did you say ?
1.Just a moment. I won’t be long
2.Hey, hang on, you forget your bags!
3.Hold your horses!!! Really? this is incredible
1.- Bear with me, please, don’t go.
2.- Mum/Sr!! Please just a second, you forgot the bag with your groceries.
3.- Hey, hey, hey!! hold your horses!!. Can you say that again for me?
1.Just a moment
2. Just a minute
3. Hold on
Hi madam Your English is very clear and your method of teaching lucid. I benefted more waching on your vdioes
Thank you
Just a moment please , I won’t be long .
Excuse me, you for got your bag !
Hang on , What did you say?
1.Just a Moment please.I won’t be long.
2. Just a sec, you forgot your bag!
3.Hang on! What did you just say?
Just a moment please.
Hold on.
Hold your horses.
It’s nice to c you and learn from you Anni
1. Just a moment please. It won’t be long.
2. Just a second. I think you forgot your bag.
3. Hold on. Gimme a minute! How could it happen?
Hello Annemarie,
I’m so lucky to come across this lesson. It’s an excellent lesson prepared by you.
My answers:
Just a moment please.
Just a second. Here’s your bag.
Hold on! I can’t believe this.
Regards.
Rinee.
Hi Annemarie,
you ´re simply amazing. Your lessons are very comprehensive and yet very acceptable.
Zdeněk
Thanks Annemarie for all your helpful and beneficial lessons you provide to improve our language and communication skills as well. I really appreciate your successful and fruitful teaching lessons that only mean that you do care for us and at the same time we need such a support from you. Thanks a lot.
❤️Wow, what a thoughtful comment, Zena. Thank you. I really appreciate that and I’m glad to know my lessons are helpful.
I was talking to my friend on the phone suddenly some body was nocking the door,I told
my friend hold on, I am coming back right now.
I went to groceries store I was asking cashier for something suddenly I have got call from school
I told cashier just a sec, I will come back to you.
Yesterday I had parents meeting at school when I was talking to the math teacher suddenly Principal nock the door , math teacher told me, I won’t be long, I will come back right now.
Hi Annemarie,
Thanks I found this lesson!
1. Hang on! What was your question?
2. Wait a second. You left your grocery bag.
3. Excuse me! Hold on a second. Did I just heard you correctly?
Excellent, Gladeline. I love your examples.
One note: let’s check number 3. You correctly used ‘did’ for the past tense helping verb. That means the main verb (hear) should be in the basic form. So what should we change?
1\Just a moment please.I am on the phone but I promise it won’t be long
2\Hold on ,you left your bag
3\Hang on ,are you kidding me ,will they get married?
Excellent, Mooer! Love those examples.
Just a moment. I need to take this call.
Hold your horses until I confirm the good news.
Hi Hyder,
Thanks for sharing your answers. I think these answers are for questions 1 and 3, is that correct?
1. Just a moment please. My bell is ringing. It won’t be long.
2. Hold on ! You forgot taking your bag!
3. Hang on ! What did you say? They hated each other before right?
Great examples here, Sienna! One question, when you say your bell is ringing, do you mean your door bell or your phone? I love your last example. 🙂
Just a moment please, supervisor is collecting cash
Hold on, I call The grocery supervisor to The price
Thank you so Michael it really helped a lot
1.Just a moment please
2.wait a minute
3.Hang on
Excellent, Jamal.
Just a moment, please. I am having a phone call.
Wait a second. You forgot your groceries.
Hold on. Is it true?
Great answers, Darcy! Particularly number 2!
One small change: with number 1 we would say, “I’m on a phone call” or “I’m on the phone.” 🙂
1. Just a moment, please
2. Wait a second
3. Hold on
Great answers, Luidmila! And they are all very appropriate for each situation. 🙂
1-just a moment please
2-hold your horses
3-just a sec
Hi Mahdia,
Thanks for sharing your answers!! Good work.
I would recommend one change in number 2. Hold your horses is very informal and only appropriate for people you know well, like family and friends. It might not be a good idea to use that with a stranger.
It really help me a lot. Thank you so much.
You’re welcome, Grace. I’m glad it helped you.
Thank you for your class, I really appreciate
You’re very welcome! I’m glad it was helpful.