sit back
B1 neutral inseparable intransitive
In simple words
to relax and let things happen without doing anything
Literal meaning: to sit with your body moved backward in a chair
Meanings
1 A2 neutral
to sit in a comfortable relaxed position
"After dinner, he sat back in his chair and closed his eyes."
Grammar: inseparable
2 B1
idiomatic
neutral
to relax and let things happen without becoming involved
"You can't just sit back while everyone else does the work."
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."
— Commonly attributed to Edmund Burke
Grammar: inseparable
3 A2
idiomatic
neutral
to watch something with calm enjoyment
"Sit back and enjoy the show."
"So sit back, relax, and enjoy the flight."
— Common airline safety and cabin announcement wording
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Very common in both literal and figurative use. In figurative use, it can sound critical if someone fails to help.
Commonly used with
relax watch do nothing let enjoy wait
Forms
Base
sit back
I/you/we/they
3rd person
sits back
he/she/it
Past simple
sat back
yesterday
Past participle
sat back
have + pp
-ing form
sitting back
continuous
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Synonyms
relax lean back take it easy stay out of it watch passively
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