the vote [n singular] the right to vote: It wasn't until 1918 that women were given the vote.
have a vote/take a vote hav о
vaot, ,teik э 'vaotj if a group of people have a vote or take a vote, they decide something by putting their hands up to show which idea they agree with: We may need to take a vote if we can't decide. + on Let's take a vote on it (^decide it by voting) .
elect i lekt [v T] to choose a government, leader, or representative by voting-. At tonight's meeting, we will elect a new chairperson. I The present mayor was elected two years ago. elect sb leader/chairman/president etc (^choose someone to be leader etc by voting) When was Mr Veftsin elected president?
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veto /'virtau/ [и T] if someone vetoes а decision that other people have agreed on, they use their official power to refuseto allow it: The bill wos vetoed by the President because it contained too many tax increases.
vetoing - vetoed - have vetoed
Q an occasion when people vote
election i'lekj>n/ [n C] when people vote to choose a government or leader: Since the last election, unemployment has increased.
hold an election South Africa held its
first multi-racial elections in 1994. presidential election l=an election to choose a president)
general election British (=an election to choose a government)
re/ererxdum retVrendom/ (n C] when everyone in a country votes to say what they think about an important political question
hold a referendum A referendum held in the Ukraine showed strong support for independence.
+ on The Irish people voted 'no' in a referendum on divorce in 1986.
ballot /'baelst/ [n C] when members of an organization decide something by marking what they want on a piece of paper, especially in order to make sure that it is secret: The result of the ballot showed that nurses were not in favour of a strike. I a secret ballot
vote voot [n singular] when a group of people, especially a committee or parliament, vote to decide something: Winterton announced that he would not be supporting the plan in Monday's vote.
El someone who votes
voter V3otor [n C] someone who votes in a political election: /ta/ian voters have shown what they think of the corrupt old party system.
Republican/Labour etc voters (=people who vote for the Republican Party etc)
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WAIT
WAIT
see also expect, stay
to wait
wait /weit/ [v I] to spend time not doing very much, while you are expecting something to happen or expecting someone to arrive: Wait here until I get back. I Hurry up, everyone's waiting, wait for sb/sth (=wait until someone arrives, is ready etc) I'll stay here and
wait for Suzie.
wait (for) a minute/two hours/a long time etc Where have you been? I've been waiting for ages. I You'll have to wait a few minutes - I'm not ready yet. wait to do stК Are you waiting to use the phone?
wait for sb/sth to do stK She waited for him to reply.
keep sb waiting (=make someone wait, for example by arriving late) I'm so sorry I kept you waiting.
A
wait and see (=be patient until you find out) I've sent the letter - now I'll just have to wait and see what happens.
Don't say 'I'll wait you', 'they waited the bus' etc. Say I'll wait for you, they waited for the bus etc.
A You can say I waited an hour or I waited for an hour. Both are correct.
Qhold On /.haold 'Dn||-'a:n/ [phrasal verb 1] spoken to wait a little longer: I can hold on for a few minutes if you like.
Kang around /haer] a'raond/ [phrasa/ verb IJ informal to wait in one place without doing anything, so that you are wasting time: Sally hung around for over an hour but no-one came. keep sb hanging around You knew I was in a hurry. Why did you keep me hanging around?
what you say to tell someone to wait
Q. wait we it spoken Wait -1 must phone Les before we go.
wait a minute/second/moment Wait a minute, I'll get my coat.
czyust a minute/just a second
/,d3ASt э min^t, .djASt э sekand spoken say this when you want someone to wait a short time before going somewhere or doing something: Just a minute - I haue to check I locked the back door.
Qhold on/hang ОП /.hauld on, ,h<er)
'on||-a:n/ spoken informal say this to tell someone to wait for a short time: Hold on - I hauen't /inished yet.
+ a minute/moment/second etc Hang on a minute while I find her phone number.
Qwait Up /,weit 'лр/ AMERICAN SPOKEN say
this to tell someone to stop, because you want to talk to them or go with them: Wait up, you guys! I can't walk so fast.
Q ho Id the line /.haold Оэ lam / spoken say this in a business telephone conversation to ask someone to wait for a moment, until the person they want to speak to is ready to answer: Hold the line, please, I'll see if he's available.
Qbear with me /'Ьеэг wid mi:/ spoken formal say this to ask someone to wait patiently, while you explain something or while you finish what you are doing: If you just bear with me, I'll explain.