sitar
1298
waiting for a suitable chance to pass: That guy's been sitting on my tail for about ten miles. I wish he'd pass me. 16 sit tight infml to keep in the same position; not move: If your car breaks down, just sit tight and wait for the police to come along. | (fig.) If he tries to persuade you, just sit tight. (=don't change your mind) → see also SITTER, SITTING
USAGE 1 You sit at a table or desk, on a chair, a branch etc, and in a tree or an armchair. 2 Compare sit, be seated, and seat. Be seated (fml) means to be in a sitting position or to find a seat: He was seated. (=He was in a sitting position.) | Is everyone seated? (=Has everyone found a seat?) To seat usually means 'to provide seats for': This hall will seat 100 people.
sit about/around phr v [I] infml to sit doing nothing, especially while waiting or while others are active
sit back phr v [I] 1 to rest one's back in a comfortable chair 2 to rest and take no active part, especially after hard effort or when action is needed: You can't just sit back and watch while they ruin our country. | We've paid for this holiday, we might as well sit back and enjoy it.
sit by phr v [I] to fail to take proper or necessary action: I can't sit by and see these dreadful atrocities committed.
sit down phr v [I usually in progressive forms] to be seated; sit: Everyone was sitting down when I came in, so I told them to stand up. | He gave his speech sitting down. → see also SIT, SIT-DOWN
sit for sthg. phr v [T] BrE to (prepare to) take an examination for: She sat for a scholarship but failed to win it. → see also SIT
sit in phr v [I] 1 [(for, as)] to take someone else's usual place, especially in a regular meeting or office job: The president is ill so the secretary will be sitting in for her (as chairman at the meeting). 2 [(on)] to attend without taking an active part: Members of the public are allowed to sit in on some Town Council meetings. 3 to take part in a SIT-IN
sit on sthg./sbdy. phr v [T] 1 infml to delay taking action on: He's been sitting on my letter for months; why doesn't he answer it? | The government are sitting on this controversial report. (=refusing to make it public) 2 infml to force rudely into silence or inactivity: She's always been sat on by her elder brothers. 3 sit on one's hands infml to take no action when action is needed → see also SIT
sit sthg. ⇔ out phr v [T] 1 to remain seated during (a dance): I don't feel like dancing; let's sit this one out. 2 also sit through to remain seated or inactive until the end of (especially something unpleasant): Although we were bored to death by the play, we sat it out in silence. | to sit out the crisis/the war/the storm
sit up phr v 1 [I;T(= sit sbdy. up)] to (cause or help to) rise to a sitting position from a lying position: Sit up and take your medicine. | She sat the old man up in bed. → see also SIT 2 [I] to sit properly upright in a chair: Sit up straight; don't slouch over the table! 3 [(for)] to stay up late; not go to bed: We sat up to watch the midnight movie. | Don't sit up for me if I'm late. 4 [I(at, to)] to take one's seat at a table: Dinner's ready! Come and sit up (at/to the table). 5 [I] infml to show sudden interest, surprise, or fear: These new crime statistics should make people sit up and take notice. → see also SIT-UP
si-tar /'sɪtɑːr, sɪ'tɑːr/ n a North Indian musical instrument with a long neck and a number of metal strings
sit-com /'sɪtkɒm||-kɑːm/ n [C;U] a SITUATION COMEDY
'sit-down¹ n 1 also ,sit-down 'strike — a stopping of work by workers in an office, factory etc, who refuse to leave until their demands are met 2 BrE infml an act or period of being seated: After all that running about I could do with a sit-down. → see also SIT DOWN
sit-down² adj [A] (of a meal) at which people are served while seated at a table: a sit-down dinner for twenty people
site¹ /saɪt/ n 1 [(of)] a place where something of special interest existed or happened: The site of the battle of Waterloo is in Belgium. | an archaeological site 2 a piece of ground for building on: a building construction site | the site of a proposed missile base | Protective helmets must be worn on site.
site² v [T+obj+adv/prep; usually pass.] to put or build in a particular position: The company is trying to decide where to site the new factory. | The house is beautifully sited to give superb views over the valley.
'sit-in n a method of expressing dissatisfaction and anger in which a group of people enter a public place