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Glite Dictionary
to sit tight

to sit tight

80 3.7
To wait patiently and not act
  • phrasal verb
  • Informal
translation icon : esperar
  • Just sit tight, and I'll find you a spoon.
  • sit tight and wait
  • just sit tight
  • advised to sit tight

Well, sit tight, relax, and watch this video as I explain and answer the question, Did you have sex with him too soon?

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Examples

  • All we can do is sit tight and wait it out.

    Fiction book (2000)

  • And just to ensure that, we're all going to sit tight, right here, until the two idiots pass through that arch.

    Fiction book (1999)

  • I need you to sit tight and do absolutely nothing.

    Love Lies Bleeding (2024)

  • Look we just have to sit tight for 3 minutes.

    The Siege (1998)

  • You just sit tight, all right?

    Lights Out (2024)

  • This place is safe, just sit tight.

    Shadow Man (2006)

  • We're going to sit tight and wait for help to arrive in the morning.

    Hell of a Summer (2023)

  • You sit tight, I'll be right back.

    Lethal Weapon 3 (1992)

  • Dr. Grant, if you'd just sit tight, we'll explain this all in a jiffy.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • I need you to sit tight and do absolutely nothing.

Synonyms

to wait
vsto sit tight
∞ 1.0

To stay in one place or delay action until something happens

focuses on remaining without action and not making changes
to hang on
vsto sit tight
  • Informal
111 3.4

To wait a short time or keep going through a hard time

means stay patiently without acting not only briefly
to stand by
vsto sit tight
90 4.2

Watch without helping when someone is in danger

means remain without acting but without the implied neglect in danger
to hold off
vsto sit tight
78 3.8

To wait before doing something

asks to remain without action rather than merely postponing
to wait around
vsto sit tight
  • Informal
71 2.5

To spend time doing nothing while waiting for someone or something

is about remaining without action rather than idle waiting
to hang tight
vsto sit tight
  • Informal
22 7.4

Wait patiently and stay calm during a delay

is about staying without action rather than calm waiting
to hold one's horses
vsto sit tight
  • Informal
1 7.2

Tell someone to wait and be patient

describes staying without acting rather than telling others to wait

Antonyms

to move
∞ 1.0

Change position or place

to take action
161 2.8

To do something to solve a problem or make a change

How Patient

to bide one's time
  • Informal
7.5
to sit tight
  • Informal
80 3.7
to stay put
  • Informal
133 2.0
to hold on
  • Informal
∞ 1.3
to take action
161 2.8
to rush in
36 3.1

Surface Forms

sit tight infinitive
sitting tight present participle
sits tight third person singular
sat tight past
sat tight past participle

Morphology

sit + tight

The sense 'wait patiently / remain where you are' is partially derivable from 'sit' (remain in place) combined with a figurative use of 'tight' (firmly/not moving). However, the extension from a literal posture to the broader pragmatic sense of waiting (often when not literally sitting) is metaphorical and requires some exposure, so it is not fully transparent to a B1 learner.

Etymology

Sit tight may come from a simple image: someone who sits and holds on tight so they do not move while waiting for news or danger to pass. That's why it now means 'to wait patiently and not take action'.