sit back
phrasal verb
sat back; sitting back; sits back
1
: to get into a comfortable and relaxed position in a chair, seat, etc.
Sit back and enjoy the ride.
2
: to make no effort to do something
He sat back and watched us do all the work.
How can you just sit back and let him insult you like that?
Examples of sit back in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
More importantly, Poehler has a genuine curiosity and sensitivity, and knows when to just sit back and listen to her subjects.
—
Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 10 Jan. 2026
Jacob Murphy had been stripped and ready to come on, but he was asked to sit back down, with Jacob Ramsey instead brought on in midfield and Miley, who had never played as a centre-half before, pulled into the heart of defence alongside Botman.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
The idea, say backers of the new program, is to reach people who are used to giving content a swipe on a mobile phone, rather than those who sit back and passively swoon in front of a more traditional screen.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 7 Jan. 2026
Kelce sat back down and strapped a black boot over one foot, and here came linebacker Cole Christiansen.
—Kansas City Star, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sit back
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Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 10 Jan. 2026
Jacob Murphy had been stripped and ready to come on, but he was asked to sit back down, with Jacob Ramsey instead brought on in midfield and Miley, who had never played as a centre-half before, pulled into the heart of defence alongside Botman.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
The idea, say backers of the new program, is to reach people who are used to giving content a swipe on a mobile phone, rather than those who sit back and passively swoon in front of a more traditional screen.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 7 Jan. 2026
Kelce sat back down and strapped a black boot over one foot, and here came linebacker Cole Christiansen.
—Kansas City Star, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sit back
Cite this Entry
“Sit back.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sit%20back. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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