to sit on a decision
1
4.2
- phrasal verb
- We can't afford to sit on a decision when the deadline is so close.
Examples
-
He tends to sit on a decision for days before finally giving an answer.
-
The manager has been sitting on a decision about the new project proposal.
-
Don't sit on a decision any longer!
-
She is sitting on a decision about the new project.
-
We cannot sit on a decision any longer; we need to act fast if we want to meet the deadline.
-
The board will sit on a decision regarding the merger until the next meeting.
-
If you keep sitting on a decision, we'll miss our opportunity to invest.
Synonyms
∞
1.0
To stay in one place or delay action until something happens
301
2.5
To pause before saying or doing something because you feel unsure
226
3.9
To delay doing something until someone answers or a situation changes
116
3.5
Wait before doing something because you feel unsure
99
3.8
To wait before doing something
78
3.7
To wait patiently and not act
41
4.2
To wait before doing something
39
4.2
Delay making a decision about something while thinking about it
25
7.4
Wait patiently and stay calm during a delay
24
3.7
To delay making a decision until the next day to think about it
20
7.3
To delay discussion or a decision about something until later
17
8.4
To wait until someone makes a decision
12
7.7
To waste time by moving or acting slowly
8
5.6
To delay dealing with something until later and make it less important
6
4.8
To delay doing something to get more time
4
5.0
To delay on purpose to get more time before deciding or acting
2
8.2
Delay deciding about something to avoid commitment
2
9.3
To delay making a decision to gain time or avoid conflict
1
8.0
To delay making a decision or taking action
1
7.4
To delay decision on a proposal until later
1
6.0
To delay action or decisions until things become clearer
1
4.8
Delay making a decision until after you think about it overnight
1
7.5
Wait for a good chance before acting
1
9.9
To be unsure and not decide
To delay doing something because you do not want to do it
To wait before acting and risk losing a chance
Delay talking about an idea until later
To delay deciding for now because it is difficult or unclear
Antonyms
How Long
- Literature
33
7.8
10
6.2
214
3.4
1
4.2
9
7.7
301
2.5
Surface Forms
Morphology
sit + on + a + decision
The meaning 'to delay or postpone making a decision' is partially inferable from the constituents: 'sit' (to remain in place) combined with 'on' suggests keeping something in place rather than acting on it. However, the conventionalized sense of deliberately withholding or postponing a decision is a metaphorical extension and not fully predictable for a B1 learner without prior exposure, so it is only partially transparent.
Etymology
Sit on a decision gives a simple picture: someone literally sitting on a paper or file marked decision so it cannot be moved. That's why it means 'to delay or put off making a choice'.