sit on one's hands

Language: en

Meaning: (idiomatic)Toremainidlewhen action is needed, perhaps because of fear, ignorance, complacency, indecisiveness, or dislike of the person(s) or situation.Synonyms:seeThesaurus:loiterCoordinate term:twiddle one's thumbs2023March 8, Mel Holley, “TSSA accepts offer, but RMT sets new strike dates”, inRAIL, number978, page10:"Ministers cannot continue tosit on their hands, hoping this dispute will go away. Our members are fully prepared to fight tooth-and-nail for a negotiated settlement," RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch has warned.; (theater,informal)To fail toapplaudwhen expected to.1946,Billboard, volume58, number40:While Boston is a "musical town," audiences heresat on their handsa good part of the time.

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