sitting idle

USAGE SUMMARY

"sitting idle" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe a person or thing that is inactive and not doing anything. For example: "The robot had been sitting idle for days, waiting for instructions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Competitors are not sitting idle, of course.

The New York Times

I'll do that.' You're sitting idle.

The New York Times - Arts

But the AL's cronies have not been sitting idle either.

The Economist

He has a plane and a helicopter there sitting idle.

The New York Times

In 2007, 45% of this land was sitting idle.

The Guardian

After sitting idle last weekend the Gophers remained ranked second in the USCHO.com poll.

The New York Times

If not many buyers want three-cylinder motors, the assembly line will not be sitting idle.

The New York Times

No one wants to see millions of young people sitting idle.

The New York Times

Most of the cash realised from selling JGBs is sitting idle.

The Economist

Villas-Boas had, again, chosen to leave Fernando Torres sitting idle on the bench.

The New York Times - Sports

Nor, with plenty of capacity sitting idle, are firms likely to go on an investment binge.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sitting idle" to clearly convey that something or someone is not currently in use or active, often implying a sense of wasted potential or available resources.

Common error

Avoid using "sitting idle" when you simply mean 'resting' or 'taking a break', as it often carries the connotation of underutilization or wasted opportunity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sitting idle" functions as a compound verb phrase where "sitting" acts as a present participle modifying "idle", together describing a state of inactivity or disuse. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science & Research

3%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sitting idle" is a versatile and common expression used to describe a state of inactivity or disuse. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely accepted in written English. It often carries a negative connotation, suggesting underutilization or wasted potential. It is suitable for various registers, from neutral news reports to formal business documents. While alternatives like "lying dormant" or "remaining unused" exist, "sitting idle" provides a direct and easily understandable way to convey the lack of activity. The most common contexts where you can find this term are news and media, formal business and encyclopedias.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

staying inactive

Focuses on the continuous state of not being active or engaged.

lying dormant

Emphasizes a potential for future activity or growth, currently inactive.

remaining unused

Highlights the lack of utilization, focusing on the resource or entity not being put to work.

existing inactively

Highlights the state of existence without active participation or engagement.

resting unproductive

Implies a lack of output or results during the period of rest or inactivity.

awaiting activation

Focuses on the anticipation of future use or engagement, currently in a passive state.

being fallow

Suggests a planned period of inactivity to improve future productivity, particularly in agricultural contexts.

stagnating unused

Highlights the lack of movement or progress due to inactivity.

languishing unused

Conveys a sense of neglect and underutilization, implying a decline in value or potential.

unproductively static

Emphasizes the lack of progress or output due to being in a fixed position or state.

FAQs

How can I use "sitting idle" in a sentence?

You can use "sitting idle" to describe resources, equipment, or even people that are not currently being used or are inactive. For example: "The factory equipment was "sitting idle" due to the lack of orders".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "sitting idle"?

Alternatives to "sitting idle" include "lying dormant", "remaining unused", or "staying inactive", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "sitting idle"?

It is appropriate to use "sitting idle" when you want to emphasize that something is not being used and that this lack of use may be inefficient or wasteful. For example: "The funds are "sitting idle" in the account instead of being invested".

What is the difference between "sitting idle" and "resting"?

"Sitting idle" implies a state of inactivity where something is not being used, often suggesting a negative connotation of wasted potential. "Resting", on the other hand, suggests a temporary pause or break, usually with the expectation of future activity.