smile and wave

Meaning

This phrase means to look at someone, show a happy expression, and move your hand to greet them. It is often used when you see someone you know from a distance, or when you want to be polite even if you cannot stop to talk.

Examples

• When you see Mrs. Higgins in her garden, just smile and wave.

  When you see Mrs. Higgins in her garden, just smile and wave.

• I didn't have time to stop, so I just had to smile and wave as I walked past.

  I didn't have time to stop, so I just had to smile and wave as I walked past.

• She saw her friends across the street and began to smile and wave.

  She saw her friends across the street and began to smile and wave.

• Even if you are nervous during the parade, just smile and wave at the crowd.

  Even if you are nervous during the parade, just smile and wave at the crowd.

• The toddler loves to smile and wave at everyone on the bus.

  The toddler loves to smile and wave at everyone on the bus.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I smiled and waved to her.

  ✓ I smiled and waved at her.

  While 'wave to' is acceptable, 'wave at' is much more natural and common when combined as 'smile and wave at someone.'

• ✗ She did a smile and wave.

  ✓ She smiled and waved.

  'Smile and wave' is typically used as a verb phrase, not as a noun phrase with the verb 'do.'

Related Expressions

Practice

• When the bus passed by, my mom stood on the sidewalk to ___.

  💡 To look happy and move her hand in greeting.

  Show answer

  smile and wave

• If you don't know what to say to the neighbors, just ___.

  💡 Be friendly from a distance without speaking.

  Show answer

  smile and wave