at a sitting

Idioms  

1. At one time, during one period. For example, The cruise ship could feed about 500 passengers at a sitting, or We read the entire poem at a sitting. Since the word sitting implies just that posture, the term means “during a period when one is seated and engaged in a single continuous activity.”

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Example Sentences

Members of the Legislative Council agreed to the latest changes made to the Assisted Dying Bill 2023 by the House of Keys at a sitting earlier.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2025

The 74-year-old won the nomination by one vote over incumbent Frank Bainimarama at a sitting of the Fijian Parliament in Suva.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 23, 2022

I had no trouble watching nine hours of the new series at a sitting, except for the sitting.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 25, 2020

O’Brien asked how people were able to watch more than one episode of the HBO series “Chernobyl” at a sitting, and she listened, without satisfaction, to talk of streaming and binge-watching.

From The New Yorker • Oct. 7, 2019

Honest, now, I’m that hungry a wagon-load of grub has the proper sort of ring, because I think I can make away with the entire collection at a sitting.

From The Outdoor Chums on a Houseboat by Allen, Quincy