sit out
Britishverb
-
(tr) to endure to the end
I sat out the play although it was terrible
-
(tr) to remain seated throughout (a dance, etc)
-
US and Canadian term: hike out. (intr) to lean backwards over the side of a light sailing boat in order to carry the centre of gravity as far to windward as possible to reduce heeling
-
Also, sit through . Stay until the end of, as in We decided to sit out the lecture instead of leaving early , or He was only eight when he sat through an entire opera—and it lasted nearly five hours . [Early 1700s]
-
Refrain from taking part in, as in Jane's foot hurt so she sat out the last three dances . [Mid-1600s]
-
Outlast, outstay, as in He sat out all the other guests, hoping to get a word alone with the host . [Mid-1700s]
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But, until Saturday, had sat out the latest conflict.
From Barron's
The NBA requires players to sit out for one game without pay after their 16th technical foul of the season.
From Los Angeles Times
He became eligible on Friday after sitting out the first part of the season.
From Los Angeles Times
“Our backstage was behind the theater, so we’d sit out there wearing these crazy corseted outfits while the guy next door was smoking brisket.”
From Los Angeles Times
She started 12 of England's 13 matches last year, only sitting out the 38-5 win over Italy in March.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.