Cool MateDon't stay up vs Don't wait up
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Don't stay up
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Don't wait up
InformalTop 3,000 (common)
Most formal: Don't stay upMost common: Don't wait up
| Don't stay up | Don't wait up | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //dəʊnt steɪ ʌp//🇺🇸 //doʊnt steɪ ʌp// | 🇬🇧 //dəʊnt weɪt ʌp//🇺🇸 //doʊnt weɪt ʌp// |
| Meaning | Don't remain awake late at night. | Don't stay awake for me. |
| Example | You should really try to not stay up too late on school nights. | I’ll be out late tonight, so don't wait up for me. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| Collocations | stay up late, stay up all night, stay up past bedtime | wait up for someone, don't wait up, wait up late |
| Common mistakes | Using 'stay up' incorrectly with nouns instead of actions, e.g., 'stay up the night'., Forgetting to use 'don't' when giving advice., Confusing 'stay up' with 'wake up'. | Translating it directly into another language without understanding the meaning., Using it in formal contexts., Saying 'don't wait me up' instead of 'don't wait up'. |
| Usage notes | Used primarily in casual conversations. Avoid formal contexts. It's a piece of advice generally given to encourage sleep. | Used when leaving in the evening, implying that the speaker won't return until late. Generally informal and friendly; avoid in formal situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Don't stay up vs Don't wait up
What's the difference between Don't stay up and Don't wait up?
Don't stay up: Don't remain awake late at night. Don't wait up: Don't stay awake for me.
Which is more formal: Don't stay up and Don't wait up?
Don't stay up is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Don't stay up and Don't wait up?
Don't wait up is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Don't stay up: You should really try to not stay up too late on school nights. Don't wait up: I’ll be out late tonight, so don't wait up for me.
Can I use Don't stay up and Don't wait up interchangeably?
Not always. Don't stay up and Don't wait up are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.