wait at table

wait at table

To serve food and drinks to patrons in a restaurant or similar establishment, as of a waiter or waitress. Until I got my first big TV role, I waited at table at a crummy little diner for 60 hours a week. Waiting at table is a great job for someone fresh out of high school or college, but it's not something most people want to do for the rest of their lives.
See also: table, wait
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

wait at table

Also, wait on table. Serve at a meal, as in She got a summer job at a resort waiting at table, or Waiting on table usually does not pay very well. [Mid-1500s] Also see wait on.
See also: table, wait
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
See also:
  • wait on table
  • wait tables
  • wait (on) tables
  • carriage trade
  • clip joint
  • hash slinger
  • hash-slinger
  • slinger
  • send (something) flying
  • bunny girl
References in classic literature
"But to wait at table. Oo'd like that, wouldn't oo?
Sylvie and Bruno
He had to wait at table, hold candles, go messages, and do many other little household services.
English Literature For Boys And Girls
"I suppose you have not forgotten how to wait at table, and clean plate, and the rest of it, in that time?"
No Name
"And--and you white men wait at table on horseback?" Stalky pointed to the man's spurs.
Actions and Reactions
Often, when du Bousquier went to a grand dinner, he would take Rene to wait at table; on such occasions he made him take off his blue cotton jacket, with its big pockets hanging round his hips, and always bulging with handkerchiefs, clasp-knives, fruits, or a handful of nuts, and forced him to put on a regulation coat.
Old Maid
Flunkeys who wait at table are ordered to remove all plates from all guests, half-empty or otherwise, as soon as Philip lines up his knife and fork in a signal he's eaten enough.
Eat up quick, Kate, or go hungry
It's been reported that Oldani's chefs wait at tables on certain days, which makes sense because chefs can better describe the menu to inquisitive diners.
'Cocina Pop': High quality but affordable food
Almost all work behind bars or wait at tables to supplement loans.
Sue Carroll Column: SHOW WILLING