Dictionary

sit up en · NOUN

Etymology

From Middle English upsitten (“to sit up”).

Meanings

1. (alt-of, alternative) Alternative spelling of sit-up.
   alt of sit-up

Forms

Relateds

sit down · lie down · stand up · sit up and take notice

sit up en · VERB

Etymology

From Middle English upsitten (“to sit up”).

Meanings

1. (intransitive) To assume a sitting position from a position lying down.
   • Despite being cancer-ridden, Lorin sat up to greet the visitors.
   • She was awakened by a shock, so sudden and severe that if Dorothy had not been lying on the soft bed she might have been hurt. As it was, the jar made her catch her breath and wonder what had happened; and Toto put his cold little nose into her face and whined dismally. Dorothy sat up and noticed that the house was not moving; nor was it dark, for the bright sunshine came in at the window, flooding the little room. She sprang from her bed and with Toto at her heels ran and opened the door. 1900 May 17, L[yman] Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Chicago, Ill.; New York, N.Y.: Geo[rge] M[elvin] Hill Co., →OCLC:
2. (intransitive) To sit erect.
   • Sit up straight, mister!
3. (intransitive) To show sudden interest or surprise.
   • He sat up when we mentioned the increased pay package.
4. (of the ball) To bounce, especially to a comfortable height.
   • And within five minutes of the change United were level. Gabriel Obertan tuned his marker inside out and delivered a cross from the right that hit Hernandez and sat up perfectly for Owen to nod home. 2011 January 29, Ian Hughes, “Southampton 1 - 2 Man Utd”, in BBC:
5. To not go to bed (notionally remaining in a sitting position).
   • I sat up all night waiting for her to come home.
6. To stop pedalling hard.
   • Half way up the climb, Jones sat up and let Smith continue alone.
7. (India, historical) For a young lady to open her house for several successive nights for any visitors who wish to pay their respects.

Forms

Deriveds

sit-up-and-beg

Translations (24)

fi pomppia (sports: to bounce) · fi olla ylhäällä (to not go to bed) · fi istua suorassa (to sit erect) · vi sáng mắt (to show sudden interest) · fi havahtua (to show sudden interest) · cy eistedd i fyny (to rise to a sitting position) · bg седя до късно (to not go to bed) · el ανακάθομαι (to rise to a sitting position) · es sentarse (to rise to a sitting position) · got 𐌿𐍃𐍃𐌹𐍄𐌰𐌽 (to rise to a sitting position) · ang āsittan (to rise to a sitting position) · de hochschlagen (sports: to bounce) · bg седя изправен (to sit erect) · ang āsittan (to sit erect) · mi noho tū (to sit erect) · cy eistedd i fyny (to not go to bed) · vi ngồi dậy (to rise to a sitting position) · fi valvoa (to not go to bed) · de sich aufsetzen (to rise to a sitting position) · fi nousta istumaan (to rise to a sitting position) · ca incorporar-se (to rise to a sitting position) · vi ngồi thẳng (to sit erect) · fi istua selkä suorana (to sit erect) · mi noho tū (to rise to a sitting position)