sit around
/sɪt əˈraʊnd/
Meaning
This expression means to spend time doing very little or wasting time in an inactive way. It often carries a slightly negative connotation of laziness or boredom, implying that the person should be doing something more productive. However, it can also casually describe a relaxed social gathering where people just hang out.
Examples
-
We spent the whole Sunday just sitting around watching TV.
We spent the whole Sunday just sitting around watching TV.
-
Don't just sit around—go clean your room!
Don't just sit around—go clean your room!
-
We sat around the kitchen table, gossiping for hours.
We sat around the kitchen table, gossiping for hours.
-
I'm tired of sitting around doing nothing; let's go for a walk.
I'm tired of sitting around doing nothing; let's go for a walk.
-
They sat around waiting for the rain to stop so they could play tennis.
They sat around waiting for the rain to stop so they could play tennis.
Common Mistakes
-
✗ We sat around of the table.
✓ We sat around the table.
Do not use the preposition 'of' after 'sit around' when describing sitting in a circle.
-
✗ I don't want to sit around to do nothing.
✓ I don't want to sit around doing nothing.
Use the gerund form (-ing) after 'sit around' to describe the activity or lack thereof.
Related Expressions
Practice
-
Stop ___ and help me carry these groceries inside!
💡 Being lazy or inactive.
Show answer
sitting around
-
We just ___ drinking coffee and talking about our high school days.
💡 Spent time doing very little (past tense).
Show answer
sat around