When a verb in the て-form is addressed to someone without attaching a giving verb, it is often being used as a shorthand for てください.1
Example: (Please give me) a little wait
ちょっとまって
Info
ちょっと means “a little” or “a bit”.
まって is the て-form of まつ (to wait). The て-form is being used as a shorthand for てください, which means to give the action (waiting) down. Together, ちょっとまって(ください) essentially means “please give me a little wait”.