sit on (one's) hands

To rest with the torso vertical and the body supported on the buttocks.

1. To rest with the hindquarters lowered onto a supporting surface. Used of animals.

2. To perch. Used of birds.

3. To occupy a seat as a member of a body of officials: sit in Congress.

4. To be in session.

To cover eggs for hatching; brood.

To be situated or located: a house that sits on a hill.

To lie or rest: Dishes were sitting on a shelf. See Usage Note at set¹.

To pose for an artist or photographer.

1. To occupy a seat as a member of a body of officials: sit in Congress.

2. To be in session.

To remain inactive or unused: Her expensive skis sat gathering dust.

To affect one with or as if with a burden; weigh: Official duties sat heavily upon the governor.

To fit, fall, or drape in a specified manner: The jacket sits perfectly on you.

To be agreeable to one; please: The idea didn't sit well with any of us.

Chiefly British To take an examination, as for a degree.

To blow from a particular direction. Used of the wind.

To keep watch or take care of a child.

To cause to sit; seat: Sit yourself over there.

To keep one's seat on (an animal): She sits her horse well.

To sit on (eggs) for the purpose of hatching.

To provide seating accommodation for: a theater that sits 1,000 people.

1. The act of sitting.

2. A period of time spent sitting.

The way in which an article of clothing, such as a dress or jacket, fits.

To be present or participate as a visitor at a discussion or music session.

To act as a substitute: She sat in for the vacationing news anchor.

To take part in a sit-in.

To confer about.

To suppress or repress: sat on the evidence.

To postpone action or resolution regarding.

Slang To rebuke sharply; reprimand.

To stay until the end of.

To refrain from taking part in: sit out a dance.

To rise from lying down to a sitting position.

To sit with the spine erect.

To stay up later than the customary bedtime.

To become suddenly alert: The students sat up when he mentioned the test.

To be present or participate as a visitor at a discussion or music session.

To act as a substitute: She sat in for the vacationing news anchor.

To take part in a sit-in.

To confer about.

To suppress or repress: sat on the evidence.

To postpone action or resolution regarding.

Slang To rebuke sharply; reprimand.

To stay until the end of.

To refrain from taking part in: sit out a dance.

To rise from lying down to a sitting position.

To sit with the spine erect.

To stay up later than the customary bedtime.

To become suddenly alert: The students sat up when he mentioned the test.