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.
On Monday, Garrett was scheduled to have surgery, and he will sit out at least the next four games on injured reserve.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 14, 2026
I’m not saying you should sell everything and sit out this bull market.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026
USC was especially cautious with Stewart’s injury during the week last season, which led Stewart to sit out a significant number of practices.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026
The 2021 US Open champion will now sit out this year's event at Flushing Meadows, which begins on 23 August.
From BBC ● Aug. 3, 2026
They can eat their grocery-store Thanksgiving dinner while I sit out here on the cold front steps.
From "A Place at the Table" by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan
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.
