sit on: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
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Quick answer
What does “sit on” mean?
To rest one's weight on a surface by lowering the body onto it.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To rest one's weight on a surface by lowering the body onto it.
To delay dealing with something; to serve as a member of a committee or board.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning; both varieties use it similarly.
Connotations
In British English, 'sit on' might be more commonly used in formal contexts like committees; in American English, informal use for delaying is equally common.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “sit on” in a Sentence
transitive: sit on + noun phraseVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sit on” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The panel will sit on the application until next month.
- She prefers to sit on the bench in the garden.
American English
- He's sitting on the feedback until the review.
- They sit on the board that oversees the project.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
To be a member of a board of directors.
Academic
To serve on a dissertation committee.
Everyday
To sit on a sofa while watching TV.
Technical
In logistics, to sit on inventory means to hold stock without moving it.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sit on”
- Using 'sit in' instead of 'sit on' for horizontal surfaces, e.g., 'sit in a chair' vs. 'sit on a chair'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the meaning; literal use is neutral, while figurative use like delaying is often informal.
No, it is a transitive phrasal verb and requires an object, e.g., 'sit on something'.
'Sit on' is used for surfaces like chairs, benches, or committees, while 'sit in' is used for enclosed spaces like cars, rooms, or as in 'sit in on a meeting' to observe.
In American English, it is pronounced /sɪt ɑn/, with the vowel in 'on' similar to the 'a' in 'father'.
To rest one's weight on a surface by lowering the body onto it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “sit on the fence”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine sitting on a letter to delay reading it, linking the physical action to postponement.
Conceptual Metaphor
DELAY IS SITTING ON SOMETHING; AUTHORITY IS BEING SEATED ON A COMMITTEE.
Practice
Quiz
What does the idiom 'sit on the fence' typically express?