1 B1 idiomatic informal
To spend time sitting idly, doing nothing useful or productive.
"Stop sitting about and help me with the washing up."
inseparable
sit about
B1 informal inseparable intransitive
To spend time sitting somewhere doing nothing useful or productive.
In plain English
To just sit somewhere without doing anything useful, wasting time.
What does "sit about" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic informal
To wait or stay somewhere without a clear purpose.
"We sat about in the waiting room for over two hours before anyone called our name."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To sit in various places around an area — transparent, though the idiomatic implication of idleness is the key meaning.
Actually means
To just sit somewhere without doing anything useful, wasting time.
Usage tip
Chiefly British English. The American English equivalent is 'sit around'. Usually carries a mildly negative or frustrated connotation — the person sitting about is seen as lazy or unproductive. Often used in complaints or criticism.
Words that pair with "sit about"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
house home office all day waiting doing nothing
How to conjugate "sit about"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
sit about
I/you/we/they
3rd person
sits about
he/she/it
Past simple
sat about
yesterday
Past participle
sat about
have + pp
-ing form
sitting about
continuous
Hear "sit about" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "sit about" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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