phrasal verb🧩 phrasal verb

sit up

to move to upright position

What it means

To move from a lying-down position into a sitting one, usually by raising your upper body. It can also mean to stay awake later than usual, or to suddenly pay attention.

Examples

  • She sat up in bed and reached for her phone.
  • The doctor asked him to sit up slowly after the procedure.
  • I sat up until two in the morning finishing the report.
  • When she mentioned free pizza, everyone really sat up and listened.

Where it comes from

Inseparable. Different from 'sit down': 'sit down' is moving from standing to sitting, while 'sit up' is moving from lying to sitting (or sitting with straight posture). The fixed expression 'sit up and take notice' means to suddenly become very interested or alert.

Related phrasal verbs

#sit down#stand up#lie down#sit back

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