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sit in on — to attend a meeting, class, or discussion as an observer without being an official participant

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: to attend a meeting, class, or discussion as an observer without being an official participant

Pronunciation (IPA): /sɪt ɪn ɑːn/

Example Sentences

  • The new intern was nervous to sit in on the CEO's strategy meeting.
  • My mom decided to sit in on my online cooking class and ended up asking more questions than I did.
  • The journalist was allowed to sit in on the peace talks but couldn't record anything.

sit in on

NOUN

[/sɪt ɪn ɑːn/]

to attend a meeting, class, or discussion as an observer without being an official participant

a young professional sits quietly in a chair positioned slightly back from the main conference table, holding a notebook but not speaking. She watches attentively as the official meeting participants discuss around the table. The meeting continues with executives presenting charts and making decisions while she takes careful notes. Several suited businesspeople gesture and point at documents spread across the table during their active discussion. The observer remains respectfully silent, clearly present but not contributing to the formal proceedings. someone attending a meeting as an observer without being an official participant
💡 Concept

a young professional sits quietly in a chair positioned slightly back from the main conference table, holding a notebook but not speaking. She watches attentively as the official meeting participants discuss around the table. The meeting continues with executives presenting charts and making decisions while she takes careful notes. Several suited businesspeople gesture and point at documents spread across the table during their active discussion. The observer remains respectfully silent, clearly present but not contributing to the formal proceedings. someone attending a meeting as an observer without being an official participant

Trying to sit in on the meeting, but her blazer doesn't fit and she hit the table!
🎵 Rhyme

Trying to sit in on the meeting, but her blazer doesn't fit and she hit the table!

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/sɪt ɪn ɑːn/
🇬🇧 UK/sɪt ɪn ɒn/

🌳Etymology

Origin

This phrasal verb emerged in the 1940s from American English, combining 'sit' with 'in on' to describe participation or observation. It originated in jazz culture, where musicians would join ongoing sessions, and later expanded to mean attending meetings or classes as an observer or participant.

Breakdown

sit (to be seated, to remain) + in on (to participate in, to be part of). The phrase literally suggests being physically present while taking part in an activity, evolved from its jazz-specific meaning to broader contexts of attendance and participation.

🎵Rhyme

fithitbit
fit
hit
bit

🔗Collocations

sit in on a meeting
sit in on a class
sit in on negotiations
sit in on the discussion
sit in on the interview

📝Examples

“The new intern was nervous to sit in on the CEO's strategy meeting.”

😄 Fun example

“My mom decided to sit in on my online cooking class and ended up asking more questions than I did.”

“The journalist was allowed to sit in on the peace talks but couldn't record anything.”

“I'll sit in on the Spanish class next week to see if it's worth enrolling.”

📚Related Words

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