sit-down
MediumInformal to Neutral
Definition
Meaning
An occasion when a person sits to eat a meal or sits to protest.
A meeting, negotiation, or discussion requiring one to sit and engage seriously, often at length. Also, any meal eaten at a table while seated (contrasted with a stand-up or informal snack).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The compound has two primary but related senses: the action of sitting for a purpose (meal, protest), and an event characterized by sitting (meeting). The adjectival use describes a service or event where sitting is provided (e.g., a sit-down dinner).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the term similarly. In UK, 'sit-down' (meal) may more commonly imply a more formal family meal. In US, 'sit-down strike' is a recognized labor term.
Connotations
In both, 'a sit-down' can imply a proper, often lengthy, engagement. 'Sit-down protest/strike' has stronger political/activist connotations.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in UK English regarding meals ('We'll have a proper sit-down'). The phrase 'sit-down restaurant' is equally common in both.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
have a sit-down (with someone)stage/organise a sit-downbe a sit-down [event]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A sit-down with the boss”
- “Not enough time for a sit-down”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
A formal, scheduled meeting to discuss serious matters: 'We need a proper sit-down to finalise the contract.'
Academic
Rare. May appear in historical/sociological texts about labor movements (sit-down strikes).
Everyday
Very common for meals or informal meetings: 'Let's have a quick sit-down and a cuppa.'
Technical
In event planning/hospitality: denotes a service style where guests are seated and served.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We should sit down and hash this out.
- I need to sit down with my GP to discuss the results.
American English
- We need to sit down and go over the figures.
- He sat down with his lawyer before the hearing.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- After the walk, we had a sit-down on the bench.
- Come in, have a sit-down.
- We're planning a sit-down dinner for thirty guests.
- The workers staged a sit-down in the factory canteen.
- The manager requested a sit-down with the entire team to address morale.
- It wasn't just a snack; it was a proper three-course sit-down.
- The protracted sit-down negotiations finally yielded a tentative agreement.
- Her research focuses on the efficacy of sit-down strikes in the early automotive industry.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a king who must SIT DOWN on his throne to give a serious judgement or eat a feast – both are a 'sit-down' event.
Conceptual Metaphor
SITTING IS ENGAGING SERIOUSLY (contrasted with standing for quick/informal actions).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'сидение-вниз'. For a meal, use 'приём пищи за столом', 'обед/ужин за столом'. For protest, 'сидячая забастовка'. The phrase 'to have a sit-down' (meeting) is 'серьёзно поговорить', 'провести встречу'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'sit-down' as a verb (it's a noun/adj). *'Let's sit-down and talk.' (Incorrect) vs 'Let's have a sit-down.' (Correct). Confusing 'sit-down dinner' with 'seated dinner' (they are synonyms).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'sit-down' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'sit-down' is a noun (e.g., 'have a sit-down') or an adjective (e.g., 'sit-down meal'). The verb phrase is 'sit down' (two words).
A 'sit-down' is an informal or semi-formal type of meeting, often implying a one-on-one or small group discussion that is serious and requires focused attention.
Yes, a 'sit-down protest' or 'sit-down strike' is a form of civil disobedience where protesters occupy a space by sitting down, refusing to move.
Not necessarily, but it always implies a meal where guests are seated at a table and served. It can range from a family Sunday lunch to a very formal banquet.