sitting (redirected from sittings)

at/in one sitting

if you do something at one sitting, you do it during one period of time without stopping. I read the whole book in one sitting.

be (sitting) in the catbird seat (American, old-fashioned)

to be in a position of power and importance. He'll be sitting in the catbird seat when the boss retires.

See also: catbird, seat

be (sitting) on your tail

to be driving too close behind you. That Volvo's been sitting on my tail for the past ten minutes and it's starting to really annoy me.

See also: tail

be sitting on a goldmine

to have or own something that is very valuable. When property prices doubled in our area, we suddenly realised we were sitting on a goldmine.

be sitting pretty

to be in a good situation, usually because you have a lot of money. They bought their house when prices were much lower so they're sitting pretty.

See also: pretty

a sitting duck

something or someone that is easy to attack or criticize. Unarmed policemen walking the streets late at night are sitting ducks.

See also: duck

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at one sitting

during a short period of time. A month's supply of that drug taken at one sitting would kill you. I read the book in one sitting and couldn't get to sleep after I finished it.

Etymology: based on a restaurant sitting (= a fixed period when a meal is available)

sitting pretty

in a good situation. She's sitting pretty as one of the music world's fastest-rising stars. These investments can provide cash to keep you sitting pretty once you retire.

See also: pretty