can’t wait: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘can't wait’ mean?
The idiom "can't wait" means being very excited or eager about something, impatiently looking forward to it and not wanting to delay its occurrence.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "look forward to" means to anticipate or eagerly await something that is expected to happen in the future.
The idiom "don't hold your breath" means to not expect something to happen or to not have high hopes for a particular outcome.
The idiom "cool one's heels" means to wait or be kept waiting, usually in a state of impatience or frustration.
The idiom "cool one's heels" has been in use for many years. It means waiting or waiting impatiently. The origin of this idiom is uncertain, but there are a few theories that attempt to explain its meaning and usage.
The idiom "Christmas came early" means that something positive or unexpected happened sooner than expected, bringing joy or excitement similar to the feeling of receiving gifts on Christmas day.
The idiom "champ at the bit" means to be impatient or eager to start or do something, often indicating a strong desire or enthusiasm that is hard to restrain.
The idiom "can't stand" means to strongly dislike or have an intense aversion towards someone or something.
The idiom "can't help" means being unable to prevent or avoid a certain action or feeling due to lack of control or strong inclination. It implies a sense of inevitability or compulsiveness in one's behavior or emotions.
The idiom "can't get enough" means to want or desire something in large quantities or to an extreme degree.
"Can it" is an idiom that means to stop talking or be quiet. It is often used as an expression of annoyance or frustration towards someone who is talking too much or saying something unnecessary.
Impatient Anticipation
*Can't wait* is an idiomatic expression commonly used in American English. It denotes impatience or eagerness in anticipation of something. The idiom combines the verb "can't" with the verb "wait" to convey a strong desire to experience or participate in something immediately.
The idiom *can't wait* is often used in informal spoken conversations and various written contexts such as literature, journalism, and everyday communication. Its origins can be traced back to Old English, and similar expressions exist in other Germanic languages.
The phrase *can't wait* is idiomatic, meaning its meaning cannot be inferred from the individual words. It has evolved to become a widespread and popular idiom due to its simplicity and versatility in expressing common human emotions. Native speakers understand it and use it figuratively or exaggeratedly to emphasize eagerness or impatience.
While *can't wait* primarily expresses excitement about future events, it can also be used sarcastically or ironically to convey a lack of enthusiasm. The context and tone play a crucial role in determining the intended meaning behind the idiom.
There are variations and synonyms of *can't wait* with similar meanings, such as "look forward to," "don't hold your breath," and "any time now." These provide options to convey levels of impatience or excitement.
The idiom *can't wait* has become widely recognized and accepted in American English, reflecting the cultural significance of anticipation and eagerness in society. It is deeply ingrained in the language and serves as a tool for effective expression of emotions related to anticipation. Given its popularity, it will likely remain a prominent idiom in American English, evolving and adapting to new contexts and speakers.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "can't wait" can be used in a sentence:
- "I can't wait to go on vacation next week."
- "She can't wait to see her favorite band in concert."
- "They can't wait for the new movie to be released."
More "Impatience" idioms
