Phrasal Verbs With 'Sit'

Sit about phrasal verb

  1. Meaning: Sit and do nothing, especially when you should be working
    (Intransitive | International English)
    » Example: We spent the afternoon SITTING ABOUT chatting instead of doing any work.

Sit around phrasal verb

  1. Meaning: Sit idly, doing nothing
    (Intransitive | International English)
    » Example: They just SAT AROUND while the others did all the work.

Sit back phrasal verb

  1. Meaning: Wait for something to happen without making any effort
    (Intransitive | International English)
    » Example: We SAT BACK and waited for them to make the first mistake.
  2. Meaning: Relax in a chair
    (Intransitive | International English)
    » Example: I SAT BACK and enjoyed the show.

Sit by phrasal verb

  1. Meaning: Not try to stop something
    (Intransitive | International English)
    » Example: I can't SIT BY while they are punished wrongly.

Sit down phrasal verb

  1. Meaning: Help someone to sit
    (Separable [obligatory] | International English)
    » Example: The nurse SAT me DOWN in a chair.

Sit for phrasal verb

  1. Meaning: Pose for an artist or photographer
    (Inseparable | International English)
    » Example: The Queen SAT FOR another official portrait.
  2. Meaning: Look after children while their parents are out
    (Inseparable | American English)
    » Example: She SITS FOR her neighbors when they go out.

Sit in phrasal verb

  1. Meaning: Occupy a building to protest about something
    (Inseparable | International English)
    » Example: The students SAT IN the Library as a protest against the increase in tuition fees.

Sit in for phrasal verb

  1. Meaning: Take on someone's responsibilities while they are absent
    (Inseparable | International English)
    » Example: Her deputy's SITTING IN FOR her while she's away.

Sit in on phrasal verb

  1. Meaning: Attend as an observer
    (Inseparable | International English)
    » Example: She SAT IN ON the meeting and took notes but said nothing.

Sit on phrasal verb

  1. Meaning: Be on a committee
    (Inseparable | International English)
    » Example: She's SAT ON the finance committee from the beginning.
  2. Meaning: To handle somebody firmly who behaves impertinently, conceitedly
    (Inseparable | American English)
    » Example: If his girlfriend finds out, she'll get mad and SIT ON him.
  3. Meaning: Hold information back or keep it secret
    (Inseparable | International English)
    » Example: The government have been SITTING ON the report because it was so critical.

Sit out phrasal verb

  1. Meaning: Not take part
    (Separable [optional] | International English)
    » Example: I had to SIT the game OUT because I was ill.

Sit over phrasal verb

  1. Meaning: Eat or drink slowly
    (Inseparable | International English)
    » Example: WE SAT OVER dinner discussing the plans.

Sit through phrasal verb

  1. Meaning: Stay till the end of something dull
    (Inseparable | International English)
    » Example: I was bored and wanted to leave halfway through, but we SAT THROUGH the film.

Sit up phrasal verb

  1. Meaning: Suddenly take notice or pay attention
    (Intransitive | International English)
    » Example: They SAT UP when I told them I was closing the company.
  2. Meaning: Move from lying down to a sitting position
    (Intransitive | International English)
    » Example: She SAT UP in bed when the doctor wanted to take her temperature.

Sit with phrasal verb

  1. Meaning: Reconcile different positions
    (Inseparable | International English)
    » Example: It's hard to see how their new plan SITS WITH the promises they made.

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