sit out

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

Idioms and Phrases

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

When her periods began aged 14, she frequently missed school and sat out of sports because of her discomfort.

Read more on BBC

Star receiver Puka Nacua is back after sitting out an Oct.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The game will mark the return of fellow star receiver Puka Nacua, who sat out against the Jaguars because of an ankle injury suffered Oct.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Meanwhile, long-term investors can follow the sage advice of Warren Buffett, who famously sat out the dot-com bubble and stuck to what he knew.

Read more on MarketWatch

Wigan half-back Harry Smith has been recalled after sitting out the first Test, with Canberra's former Warriors forward Morgan Smithies also brought in.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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