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sit in

B2 neutral inseparable both
In simple words

to stay inside, join in by sitting there, or protest by refusing to leave

Literal meaning: to sit inside a place

Meanings

1 B2 idiomatic neutral

to take part in a protest by staying seated in a place and refusing to leave

"The students sat in outside the administration office for two days."

"We had students from all over the city sitting in at lunch counters."

— John Lewis, interview reflections on the Civil Rights Movement
Grammar: inseparable
2 B1 idiomatic informal

to stay at home instead of going out

"It's raining, so let's just sit in tonight and watch a movie."

Grammar: inseparable
3 B2 idiomatic neutral

to join a meeting, class, or musical performance informally or temporarily

"A local guitarist sat in during the last two songs."

"Eric Clapton sat in with the band during the encore."

— Common music journalism wording; exact source not recalled
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

The protest sense is strongly associated with political action. In British English, 'sit in' can also mean stay at home rather than go out.

Commonly used with

protest strike home meeting rehearsal session

Forms

Base
sit in
I/you/we/they
3rd person
sits in
he/she/it
Past simple
sat in
yesterday
Past participle
sat in
have + pp
-ing form
sitting in
continuous

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Synonyms

take part in a sit-in stay in join in participate informally remain indoors

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