sit still

The phrase "sit still" is commonly used in both literal and idiomatic contexts to describe remaining motionless or accepting a situation passively.

🇺🇸 US Voice:

🇬🇧 UK Voice:

Definition

A2General

(literal)To remain seated without moving.

Example

The teacher asked the students to sit still during the lesson.
It's hard for young children to sit still for a long time.

B2Idiomatic

(idiomatic)To accept or tolerate a situation without taking action.

Example

She couldn't sit still and watch the injustice happen.
I'm not going to sit still while they make decisions for me.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "sit still":

stand still sit for sit in sit under sit right sit on sit with sit down sit on it sit upon sit over sit back sitting pretty sit up take a seat stay on keep quiet stay in sit on one's hands have a seat sit out stand up stay back stand pat standstill agreement steady on stand in stand on