bear with
be patient with someone while they finish or explain something
What does "bear with sb" mean?
Examples
- Bear with me — the file is taking a moment to load.
- If you can bear with us during this transition, we'll have everything back to normal soon.
- She asked the audience to bear with her while she set up the presentation.
How to use it
The most common form by far — used when the speaker asks the listener to be patient with them directly, often mid-task.
Bear with me — I just need a moment to pull up your account.
Used to specify what the speaker is doing during the wait, making the request feel more informative and polished.
Please bear with us while we process your request.
Adding 'please' or 'just' softens the request and is very natural in both spoken and written contexts.
Just bear with me here — the explanation gets clearer in a moment.
A slightly more deferential framing, often used in formal or written communication to make the request feel less like a demand.
If you can bear with us a little longer, we'll have this sorted out shortly.
Used when reporting or introducing a request for patience rather than making it directly.
I'll need you to bear with me while I walk you through each step.
Common Collocations
Common Mistakes
A very common written error is spelling this as 'bare with me', but 'bare' means uncovered or to expose something. The correct verb here is 'bear', meaning to endure or carry.
'Bear with' is a polite, in-the-moment request directed at the listener asking for their patience. 'Put up with' means to tolerate something unpleasant over time and is not used as a direct request in the same way.
This phrasal verb asks for someone's patience — the object should be a person (me, us, him, her), not a situation or inconvenience. Using an abstract noun shifts the meaning toward 'tolerate', which is 'put up with' territory.
Usage
This phrase is mostly used in the imperative ('Bear with me') and is common in both professional settings (meetings, phone calls, emails) and everyday speech. It is a polite, neutral expression suitable for almost any situation where you need someone to wait briefly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'bear with me' a fixed expression, or can I change it?
It is close to formulaic — 'bear with me' is by far the most frequent form and functions almost like a fixed phrase in professional and conversational English. That said, you can naturally vary it with 'us', 'him', or 'her', or extend it with 'while I...', 'for a moment', or 'a little longer'. The core structure is very stable, but the surrounding words can be adjusted.
Can 'bear with' be used in emails and written communication?
Yes, it appears regularly in professional written contexts such as customer service emails, website notices, and formal correspondence. Phrases like 'Please bear with us during this period' or 'If you can bear with me, I'll explain below' are well established in writing. It is slightly more common in speech, but it is entirely appropriate in writing at a neutral to formal level.
Does 'bear with' have other meanings I should know about?
This specific entry covers the meaning of politely asking someone for their patience. The same words do appear in other contexts — for example, 'bear out' is a different phrasal verb meaning to confirm or support a claim. If you encounter 'bear with' used to mean patience and patience only, you are looking at this sense.
Can I drop the object and just say 'just bear with'?
No — omitting the object sounds unnatural and incomplete. You always need to specify who you are asking for patience: 'bear with me', 'bear with us', or 'bear with him', for example. The object is an essential part of the phrase, not optional.
Is 'bear with' more common in British or American English?
It is used in both British and American English without any strong regional preference. The phrasing 'bear with me' in customer service and professional settings is equally familiar on both sides of the Atlantic, making it a safe and universally understood choice.
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