wait tables

wait (on) tables

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 tables at a diner.
See also: table, wait
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

wait (on) tables

Fig. to serve food and tend diners, as at a restaurant. I waited on tables for years to pay my college tuition.
See also: table, wait
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

wait (on) ˈtables

(American English) work serving food to people in a restaurant: I wait on tables at a restaurant near my apartment. She worked her way through college waiting tables.
See also: table, wait
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • wait (on) tables
  • wait at table
  • wait on table
  • carriage trade
  • clip joint
  • hash slinger
  • hash-slinger
  • slinger
  • send (something) flying
  • bunny girl
References in periodicals archive
I didn't wait tables. I did calligraphy for the invitations for, like, Robin Thicke and Paula Patton's wedding," she explained.
Meghan Markle's Neat Handwriting Explained
More than 70 members and friends of the church have signed up to prepare, clean and serve, while students in First Congregational Church's middle and high school youth groups have volunteered to wait tables.
West Dundee church to host its Hilltop Community Supper Dec. 11 -BYLN- Submitted by First Congregational Church of Dundee
"Did you come out here to wait tables?" "I came out here to get away from my boyfriend," she said.
MORNING SERIAL
Kids whose good nature gets abused as they wait tables for next to nothing or work permanent early turns in a shop.
The pressures of life are making Saturday jobs less desirable; MY SHOUT
Classic dishes like forshmak and tzimmes can still be found on the menus of most upscale restaurants, even those where the young servers who wait tables have no idea about their Jewish provenance.
Drink in the Ukrainian Revolution at Dizyngoff, a New Hipster Haunt in Odessa
Rather than wait tables, struggling actor Jason Lassen opted to perform at children's birthday parties and quickly found out how competitive and political they are.
Hollywood Clown
These are the people who clean houses, tend gardens, wait tables and look after the children of professionals so they can go out and earn high incomes.
Immigrant pledge isn't a Trump card, Donald
Madison native Laurel Donahoo says her career as a designer started as a hobby and way to make a little extra cash in college without having to wait tables.
Keeping our eye on ... Laurel Donahoo: profiles of growing young professionals in Mississippi
I have been known to wait tables in my shop in New York when it's necessary.
Menu changes incoming for Qatar chocolate bar
"They would wait tables at first, then they would start entertaining guests at the table.
Five foreigners arrested for running illegal nightclubs
Cardle, 27, used to wait tables and perform with his band - Ali McMillan and Richard Grace - at the Halstead drinking spot, months before he applied to the ITV1 talent contest.
X Factor Matt to keep gig promise
From the September issue: Actors who wait tables are ubiquitous in New York, but Broadway dancers who double as real estate agents?
Broker by day, dancer by night
Better still, if only Bahrainis learn to raise their own children, nurse their own sick, wait tables, wash their own cars and windows of their buildings, build their own roads, bridges, buildings, homes, gardens and farms, run their own businesses and firms and maintain their infrastructure, there will be less unemployment, crime or riots.
Get on with the job
I wait tables because I like it and as long as I can remain good at it, I'll do it."
On the job