Quote Originally Posted by johnboy View Post
Sorry . . . 'bide a wee' means to 'stop right there', or 'just hang on a minute', or 'you've overstepped the mark'.
It's a cautionary comment.
I try not to use too many Kiwi colloquialisms but they sometimes slip in all by themselves . . .

Heck, don't hold back on the local jargon, jb! Part of the fun is reading something, scratching one's head a bit, then sometimes hunting for the local meaning often tied back to former times, long, long ago. When you look at that one, "bide a wee", with your explanation the origin is more clear - "abide", can mean remain in place or hold position, as well as to tolerate; and "wee", is obviously a short period or small amount. Makes perfect sense, and very succinct!! Three little words vs "Now just wait a second there!" All good!