sit out

British  

verb

1. (tr) to endure to the end

   I sat out the play although it was terrible

2. (tr) to remain seated throughout (a dance, etc)

3. 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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sit out Idioms  

1. 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]

2. Refrain from taking part in, as in Jane's foot hurt so she sat out the last three dances . [Mid-1600s]

3. Outlast, outstay, as in He sat out all the other guests, hoping to get a word alone with the host . [Mid-1700s]

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Example Sentences

“It appears to me that there are a lot of campaign donors sitting out of this race until now, waiting to see who will jump in,” she added.

From Los Angeles Times

“Mr. Smiley, do you still play that saw sitting out in your fields?”

From Literature

“We were ready to go and I don’t like sitting out there with news,” board Chairman James Gorman, who led the succession process, said in an interview.

From The Wall Street Journal

Skyy Clark, a senior guard who averaged 13.5 points through the team’s first 14 games, sat out his ninth straight because of a hamstring injury.

From Los Angeles Times

A weak dollar is mechanically good for gold, since it is priced in dollars, while gold is often touted as a safe asset to sit out inflation.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• abandon
• abdicate
• abstain
• eschew
• forsake
• pass on
• pass up
• quit
• refrain
• relinquish
• renounce
• resist
• swear off
• waive