A phrase commonly found in the military. This phrase depicts the day-to-day grind of soldiers where they have to "hurry up" to point B only to have to wait hours for the event to occur. This phrase also applies to anything that requires you to be on time but does not start for a good while.
Example A: While at the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS), we were told to arrive on time at 6 AM but in processing did not start until 9 AM. We practiced the "hurry up and wait" policy.

Example B: I did 80 just to get to the doctor's office on time, and he did not even show up for another hour. It was another case of hurry up and wait.
by odah January 17, 2013
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The concept of making every effort to arrive at a location ahead of the appointed time, with the expectation of having to wait upon arrival. The purpose behind the concept is that it builds a large amount of time into one's schedule, therefore accounting for unexpected occurrences.
When we went to the airport for our vacation, we followed the "hurry up and wait" philosophy, arriving several hours prior to our flight.
by FS3T22Love April 27, 2008
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It came from da military. Because soldiers always had to hurry somewhere but den wait cuz of da lines of soldiers in front of dem.
Ya’ll want my spot.. Hurry up and wait
Ya’ll want me to stop.. Hurry up and wait
Ya’ll want me shot.. Hurry up and wait
Ya’ll hurry up and wait Ya’ll hurry up and wait!- pitbull
by fresh315 June 17, 2005
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The team motto used by the University of Bridgeport baseball team. Everytime we go to florida for our pre-season we are always hurried every where and then have to wait for a long period of time. At the Orlando Airport we were hurried to the curbside pick where we proceded to wait for 2 hours for the vans to pick us up. We are hussled through batting practice and infield-outfield just to wait 45 mins for the game to start. Also our coach makes has us meet down stairs 30 mins. before we actually leave for the game.
by Matt Barile March 20, 2007
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The team motto used by the Unviersity of Bridgeport Baseball team. Because every year we go on our Florida trip for pre-season we are always hurried places but then have to wait for a long period of time. At the Orlando Airport we were hurried to the curbside pick where we proceded to wait for 2 hours for the vans to pick us up. We are hussled through batting practice and infield-outfield just to wait 45 mins for the game to start. Also our coach makes has us meet down stairs 30 mins. before we actually leave for the game.
by Matt Barile March 20, 2007
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The act of being rushed to be somewhere at an exact time, only to get there and wait a considerable amount of time for the other party/event to happen. Very common practice among doctors, strict grandmothers, and ESPECIALLY drug dealers.
Friend: Man, you said you were on your way an hour ago!

Me: I know, sorry, I'm meeting up with Ronnie for some party favors and she said be at McDonalds by 5. Hurry up and wait, I swear this always happens with her.
by Master_of_Panda December 16, 2019
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