sit on

British  

verb

1. to be a member of (a committee, etc)

2. informal to suppress

3. informal to check or rebuke

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sit on Idioms  

1. Also, sit upon.

2. Confer about or deliberate over, as in Another attorney was called to sit on the case . [Mid-1400s]

3. Suppress or repress, as in I know they were sitting on some evidence . [Early 1900s]

4. Postpone action or resolution regarding, as in I don't know why the city council is sitting on their decision . [Early 1900s]

5. Rebuke sharply, reprimand, as in If he interrupts one more time I'm going to sit on him . [ Slang ; second half of 1800s]

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Example Sentences

It is a theme that Philadelphia are happy to sit on a lead and trust their defence - but gaining just 16 second-half yards, as they did in Buffalo, is not a recipe for success.

From BBC

That brake is tied to sugars called glycans, which sit on the surface of cancer cells.

From Science Daily

In the K-shaped economy, high-income households sit on the upward arm of the “K,” benefiting from rising pay as well as the value of their stock and property holdings.

From Los Angeles Times

The new look of Starbucks interiors indeed feels trendy and warm, with plenty of plush fabric or leather cushions to sit on, green walls and potted plants, and midcentury design elements in the chairs and counters that give the overwhelming feeling of being inside your Pinterest-addict-friend’s apartment.

From Slate

The newcomer is one of a small group of executives who sit on GM’s influential executive strategy team.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• abolish
• censor
• conceal
• contain
• crack down on
• crush
• curb
• cut off
• muzzle
• overcome
• overthrow
• put an end to
• put down
• quash
• quell
• quench
• repress
• silence
• snuff out