sit down
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle down
Meanings
Move to a seated position
Why “down”? Movement goes from high to low.
“Maya and Leo sat down by the cafe window for a break from shopping.”
“Leo sat down on the sofa after the evening dishes were done.”
“The pupils sat down when the teacher entered.”
“Maya and Leo sat down beside the team before the morning office meeting began.”
“Maya and Leo sat down by the window after they got on the train.”
Don't confuse with
Sit down means move to a seated position. Sit up means move to a seated upright position.
Test yourself
“Maya and Leo sat down by the cafe window for a break from shopping.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
sit up
A contrast learners often mix up
Move to a seated upright position
bear down
Same down pattern: downward
Move quickly and threateningly toward someone
beat down
Same down pattern: downward
(of sun or rain) fall strongly and steadily
bend down
Same down pattern: downward
Lean the upper body downward
blow down
Same down pattern: downward
Cause something to fall by blowing
break down
Same down pattern: downward
(of a vehicle or machine) stop working; Lose emotional control and start crying; Separate something into smaller parts to understand it; (of negotiations or relationships) fail or end; Force a door open by hitting it; Decompose into simpler chemical substances
bring down
Same down pattern: downward
Cause something to fall or land; Make something lower in level or amount; Cause a government or leader to lose power; Make someone feel sad or depressed
climb down
Same down pattern: downward
Descend by gripping or stepping
Tell it apart
Side-by-side comparisons with the verbs learners most often confuse for “sit down”.
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