sit out

To choose not to take part in a dance, game, or other activity.

• I will sit out this dance.
• She sat out the final match.
• Are you sitting this round out?

How to use it: sit something out (My knee hurts, so I will sit this game out.)

Similar words: skip, not participate

Opposites: participate

Common phrases: sit out a dance, sit out a game, sit out this round

To stay somewhere and wait until a difficult event ends, without getting involved.

• We sat out the storm indoors.
• The family decided to sit out the conflict abroad.
• Can we sit this crisis out here?

How to use it: sit something out (They sat the storm out in a nearby cabin.)

Similar words: wait out

Common phrases: sit out a storm, sit out the crisis

To stop playing poker hands temporarily, while required bets are still taken from your money.

• I need to sit out briefly.
• She sat out while answering the phone.
• Players who sit out still pay the blinds.

Common phrases: sit out temporarily, sit out at poker

To lean over the side facing the wind to keep a sailboat balanced.

• The crew sat out to balance the boat.
• You must sit out further in strong winds.
• Both sailors are sitting out as the boat heels.

Similar words: hike out

Common phrases: sit out further, sit out to windward

To escape a wrestling hold by swinging your legs forward from a face-down position into a seated position.

• The wrestler sat out and escaped.
• Try to sit out before he tightens his grip.
• She sat out from the bottom position.

How to use it: sit out of a hold (He sat out of the hold and turned towards his opponent.)

Common phrases: sit out quickly, sit out of something