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sit up

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /ˌsɪt ˈʌp/

sit up means: To raise your upper body from lying down into a sitting position.

verb

RISE FROM LYINGA2

To raise your upper body from lying down into a sitting position.

  • She sat up in bed.
  • He woke suddenly and sat up.
  • Can you sit up without help?

How to use it: sit up in bed (I sat up in bed when the phone rang.)

Similar words: raise yourself

Opposites: lie down

Common phrases: sit up slowly, sit up in bed, sit up suddenly

SIT STRAIGHTA2

To sit with your back straight instead of bent forward or relaxed.

  • Sit up straight, please.
  • She sat up when the teacher checked her posture.
  • Try to sit up while you work at your desk.

Similar words: sit straight

Opposites: slouch

Common phrases: sit up straight, sit up properly

NOTICE SUDDENLYB2

To suddenly become interested, surprised, or more attentive.

  • The news made everyone sit up.
  • Investors sat up when she announced the profits.
  • That offer will make him sit up and take notice.

How to use it: sit up and take notice (The unexpected results made everyone sit up and take notice.)

Similar words: take notice, pay attention

Common phrases: sit up and notice, sit up suddenly

STAY AWAKEB2

To stay awake instead of going to bed.

  • We sat up late talking.
  • She sat up all night waiting for news.
  • Did you sit up with the baby again?

How to use it: sit up doing something (We sat up watching old films.)

Similar words: stay up

Opposites: go to bed

Common phrases: sit up late, sit up all night

BOUNCE HIGHC2

If a ball does this, it bounces high enough to be easy to hit.

  • The ball sat up nicely.
  • His short delivery sat up, and the batter hit it hard.
  • On this court, slow balls tend to sit up.

Similar words: bounce high

Common phrases: sit up nicely, sit up invitingly

EASE PEDALLINGC2

To stop riding your bicycle hard, usually after giving up an attempt to win.

  • The rider sat up.
  • After the group caught him, he sat up and slowed down.
  • Will she sit up or keep chasing the leaders?

Similar words: ease off

Common phrases: sit up early, sit up on climbs

Questions about sit up

What does sit up mean?

To raise your upper body from lying down into a sitting position.

What is sit up in other languages?

Türkçe: doğrulmak · Español: incorporarse · Français: se redresser · Deutsch: sich aufsetzen · Italiano: mettersi a sedere · 日本語: 起き上がる

How do you pronounce sit up?

It is pronounced /ˌsɪt ˈʌp/.

How do you use sit up in a sentence?

She sat up in bed. He woke suddenly and sat up.

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