to delay action on something, suppress it, or physically sit on top of it
to keep something and not act, or to sit on top of it
4 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
to delay dealing with something or fail to act on it
"The council has been sitting on this proposal for months."
Congress has been sitting on this issue for too long.
— Common political/news phrasing; exact source not recalled
to keep something such as information, money, or evidence without revealing or using it
"Someone in the office was sitting on key information."
Banks are sitting on huge cash reserves.
— Business news phrasing; exact source not recalled
to be a member of a committee, court, or panel
"She sits on the ethics committee at the hospital."
She sits on the board of several charities.
— Common biographical/profile wording; exact source not recalled
to rest your body on top of something
"Don't sit on my jacket; I just put it there."
to place your body on top of something
to keep something and not act, or to sit on top of it
Common in figurative use with ideas, information, complaints, and decisions. Can sound critical, especially in journalism and politics.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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