THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE
Sit on your hands
Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.
01 / UNDERSTAND
Meaning in plain English
To take no action when a situation or problem needs attention.
02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT
The expression in a sentence
- We cannot sit on our hands while the booking errors continue.
03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Quick idiom quiz
Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.
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Can you recall the expression?
Which expression from this lesson matches this meaning?
To take no action when a situation or problem needs attention.
Show the answer
Sit on your hands — To take no action when a situation or problem needs attention.
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Make it yours
Write one sentence using “Sit on your hands” about your own life.
Check your sentence
Does your sentence match this meaning?
To take no action when a situation or problem needs attention.
Compare: We cannot sit on our hands while the booking errors continue.
Check the spelling and how the expression fits the sentence. Your example can be different.
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More ways to understand and use it
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When to use it
Use it when criticising inaction or urging a response. It is conversational and stronger than neutrally saying someone is waiting.
More examples in context
- The committee sat on its hands instead of addressing the complaints.
- Rather than sit on her hands, she organised a meeting to find a solution.
Usage note
Change your to match the subject: our hands, her hands or its hands. The idiom usually implies that some action would be appropriate.
A short conversation
A: Should we just wait and hope the leak stops?
B: We cannot sit on our hands. Let us report it now.
A: I will call the caretaker.
One more practice question
Who is sitting on their hands?
A. Someone ignoring a problem that needs action.
B. Someone actively working to resolve the problem.
Check your answer
A. The person remains inactive despite the need to act.
Related lessons
Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.