Phrasal verb
sit in
Meanings
To temporarily take someone’s place in a job, meeting, class, or performance.
To attend a class, meeting, or event as an observer, without being an official participant.
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Definition
To sit in means to take someone’s place temporarily, especially in a meeting, class, or performance.
To sit in is to be present as a temporary replacement for someone who is absent. It often happens at work, in school, or in music when another person cannot attend. The focus is on filling in so the activity can continue normally.
Examples
- I can sit in for Maria during the client call this afternoon.
- Could you sit in on the training session and tell me what you notice?
- He sat in for the drummer at last night’s rehearsal.
- She asked me to sit in on the interview panel as a silent observer.
- They will sit in for their manager while she is out of town.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse “sit in for someone” (replace someone) with “sit in on something” (observe an event).
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.