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.
When the truck wasn’t there, they would draw the heavy metal gate closed and lock it, or else pay a scout to sit out front watching, relaying surveillance intel when needed.
From Slate ● Oct. 26, 2026
Under MLB rules, a player put on the injured list during a postseason series must sit out the next series.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 3, 2026
If Garrett, 30, is placed on injured reserve, he would be forced to sit out at least four games.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 13, 2026
Southwest isn’t the only carrier that decided it can no longer afford to sit out the building boom: JetBlue Airways opened up two new lounges in the past year.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026
“I'd have to reapply and sit out a year. I don’t know if I want to do that.”
From "It All Comes Down to This" by Karen English
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
