sit up
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle up
Meanings
Move to a seated upright position
Why “up”? Movement goes from low to high.
“The patient sat up in bed.”
“The child sat up on the mat.”
Don't confuse with
Sit up means move your body upright while sitting. Sit out means choose not to join an activity.
Test yourself
“The patient sat up in bed.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
sit out
A contrast learners often mix up
Decide not to take part in an activity
call up
Same up pattern: upward
Telephone someone; Order someone to join military service; Display information on a screen or computer; Bring a memory or feeling vividly to mind; Select a player for a higher-level team
climb up
Same up pattern: upward
Ascend by gripping or stepping
get up
Same up pattern: upward
Rise from bed or a seat; Move to a standing position; Increase in strength
hold up
Same up pattern: upward
Raise and keep raised
jump up
Same up pattern: upward
Spring upward into the air
keep up
Same up pattern: upward
Continue at the same level or rate; Move at the same speed as someone else; Stay informed about something current; Prevent someone from going to bed or sleeping; Prevent something from falling down; Maintain pretences, an appearance or a habit; Match the social or financial standard of others
lift up
Same up pattern: upward
Raise something with force
Tell it apart
Side-by-side comparisons with the verbs learners most often confuse for “sit up”.
Practice “sit up” in Sink In
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