sit out
Britishverb
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(tr) to endure to the end
I sat out the play although it was terrible
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(tr) to remain seated throughout (a dance, etc)
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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
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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]
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Refrain from taking part in, as in Jane's foot hurt so she sat out the last three dances . [Mid-1600s]
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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.
“We’ve seen consumer confidence slide as the Iran conflict drags on, and that could have both buyers and sellers choosing to sit out the spring home-buying season,” said Kate Wood, a housing expect at NerdWallet.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 13, 2026
Enzo Fernandez will sit out Chelsea's next two games after he "crossed a line" with comments he made about his future at the club, says manager Liam Rosenior.
From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026
The answer to such a looming emergency, however, isn’t to sit out every fight until the big one.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 8, 2026
Center Kilian O’Connor and right tackle Justin Tauanuu will sit out while recovering from surgical procedures.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 3, 2026
I remember feeling unsettled during that transition, because around that time I’d injured my shoulder and had to sit out the first half of the 2014 competition season.
From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles
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.
