verb phrase🎓 English idiom

sit tight

to wait patiently

What it means

To wait patiently and take no action until the situation becomes clearer or you are told otherwise. It often means staying where you are and remaining calm rather than reacting hastily.

Examples

  • Just sit tight; the technician will call you back within the hour.
  • We were told to sit tight until the storm had completely passed.
  • Sit tight and don't sell your shares while the market is so volatile.
  • The passengers had to sit tight on the runway for another two hours.

Where it comes from

A 19th-century American expression; "tight" here suggests staying firmly in place, possibly drawn from the imagery of a secure or steady seat.

Related idioms

#hold your horses#keep your fingers crossed#play it by ear#cross that bridge when you come to it

🎓 Think you know your idioms?

Take the English Idioms Test — 20 terms, instant result, no signup.

Take the test

Built by the team behind Deep In.