sit down

sit down

1. To go from a standing to a sitting position. Everyone, please sit down and be quiet, and we'll begin our presentation shortly. I think you had better sit down for this. I sat down to take a break and have a drink of water.

2. To cause, compel, or force someone to go from a standing to a sitting position. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is usually used between "sit" and "down." My boss sat me down to have a talk about my productivity. We're sitting everyone down to let them know about changes that are coming down the line soon.

See also: down, sit

sit down to (do something)

To begin or prepare to do something while sitting. After putting it off all day, I finally sat down to do my taxes. I think it's important that we all sit down to eat together in the evening.

See also: down, sit

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

sit down

to be seated; to sit on something, such as a chair. Please sit down and make yourself comfortable. Can I sit down here?

See also: down, sit

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

sit down

1. Take a seat, as in Won't you sit down? I won't be long. [c. 1200]

2. sit down to. Prepare to eat a meal, as in At six we all sat down to dinner. [Late 1500s]

See also: down, sit

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

sit down

v.

1. To assume a sitting position; take a seat: She sat down to eat. Let's sit down in front of the television.

2. To cause someone to assume a sitting position, especially in a mandatory way: The principal sat me down and began lecturing. You need to sit down all your grandchildren some day and tell them your wonderful story.

3. sit down with To meet with someone in order to deliberate together or compare views: The foreign ambassador sat down with the president.

See also: down, sit

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.