sit-down

[ sit-doun ]

/ ˈsɪtˌdaʊn /

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See synonyms for sit-down on Thesaurus.com

adjective

done or accomplished while sitting down: sit-down meetings between the two party leaders.

(of a meal or food) served to or intended for persons seated at a table: a sit-down dinner.

noun

Informal. a period or instance of sitting, as to relax, talk, or the like: They had a profitable sit-down together.

sit-down strike.

a protest demonstration whereby participants refuse to move from a public place.

Informal. a meal, especially a dinner, served to persons who are seated at a table.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of sit-down

First recorded in 1830–40; adj. and noun use of verb phrase sit down

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use sit-down in a sentence

Perhaps Christian Bale should be the first to take this advice to heart—at least the “sit down” part.
Christian Bale: One Man's Moses Is Another Man's Terrorist|Candida Moss, Joel Baden|December 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
After Rosemary offers me some tea, I sit down on the couch with Downey Sr. to discuss his astonishing life, and career.
The Renegade: Robert Downey Sr. on His Classic Films, Son’s Battle with Drugs, and Bill Cosby|Marlow Stern|November 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“Sit down and shut up” was how all important family discussions began and ended where the rest of America grew up.
Why 2016’s Hopefuls Are Hopeless|P. J. O’Rourke|November 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He’d say, ‘What am I going to do—sit down all day and do nothing?
How Brooklyn’s First Ice Cream Girl Fought City Hall–and Won|Michael Daly|October 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST

I write from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and when I turn the computer off, I sit down and read from that period for an hour or so.
Sarah Waters: Queen of the Tortured Lesbian Romance|Tim Teeman|September 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
You see, they always butter their chairs so that they won't stick fast when they sit down.
Davy and The Goblin|Charles E. Carryl
Being quieted by the Captain with a draught of cold tea, and made to sit down, the examination of the book proceeded.
The Giant of the North|R.M. Ballantyne
Is it not enough that this man shall every morning sit down to breakfast with the lovely Mees Lucy?
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
Sit down by the fire, younker, and rest yourself; for youll have to go out with us again to-night, though not very far off.
Oliver Twist, Vol. II (of 3)|Charles Dickens
Sit down, Dorothy Chance, Ye'r welcome to what we ha'; not 'specting company you'll find no junkets at table.
The World Before Them|Susanna Moodie

British Dictionary definitions for sit-down

sit down

verb (adverb)

to adopt or cause (oneself or another) to adopt a sitting posture

(intr foll by under) to suffer (insults, etc) without protests or resistance

noun sit-down

a form of civil disobedience in which demonstrators sit down in a public place as a protest or to draw attention to a cause

See sit-down strike

adjective sit-down

(of a meal, etc) eaten while sitting down at a table

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with sit-down

sit down

Take a seat, as in Won't you sit down? I won't be long. [c. 1200]

sit down to. Prepare to eat a meal, as in At six we all sat down to dinner. [Late 1500s]