sit on

British  

verb

1. to be a member of (a committee, etc)

2. informal to suppress

3. informal to check or rebuke

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sit on Idioms  

1. Also, sit upon.

2. Confer about or deliberate over, as in Another attorney was called to sit on the case . [Mid-1400s]

3. Suppress or repress, as in I know they were sitting on some evidence . [Early 1900s]

4. Postpone action or resolution regarding, as in I don't know why the city council is sitting on their decision . [Early 1900s]

5. Rebuke sharply, reprimand, as in If he interrupts one more time I'm going to sit on him . [ Slang ; second half of 1800s]

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Example Sentences

These receptors sit on the surface of cells and help transmit signals that control many processes in the body.

From Science Daily • Apr. 6, 2026

Powell cautioned that the Fed might not be able to sit on the sidelines if rising prices shift the public’s expectations about inflation over time.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

Few if any producers have committed to boost output yet, but if prices rise enough, it’s hard to imagine they sit on the sidelines for long.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

“These are internal documents that you’re uniquely seeing because you’re the jury that got to sit on this case,” Lanier told the jury during closing arguments on Thursday.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026

Coach P. would never let twenty guys sit on the bench.

From "The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman" by Gennifer Choldenko

Related Words

• abolish
• censor
• conceal
• contain
• crack down on
• crush
• curb
• cut off
• muzzle
• overcome
• overthrow
• put an end to
• put down
• quash
• quell
• quench
• repress
• silence
• snuff out