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.
Baker-Mazara had missed three games last month because of a knee sprain and sat out practices throughout the season because of nagging minor injuries.
From Los Angeles Times
Daoud said he expected Hezbollah to sit out the fight unless its patron was in existential peril, but added that what he called the group’s “measly opening salvo” made little strategic sense.
Forced to sit out last season, Mpoyi developed into a three-star prospect while playing for All In Elite on the Under Armour circuit and in summer high school events.
From Los Angeles Times
The star forward, who is rehabilitating from an Achilles tendon tear suffered in the playoffs last June, and has lately been practicing with the team, continues to sit out real action.
Adams, a probable Hall of Famer, worked out great: Despite a hamstring injury that forced him to sit out three games, he caught a league-best 14 touchdown passes.
From Los Angeles Times
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.
