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sit up

[/sɪt ʌp/]
verb/noun
sentar-se direito / abdominal
1. (verb) To move from a lying or reclining position to an upright sitting position
She sat up in bed when she heard the noise.
Ela se sentou na cama quando ouviu o barulho.
2. (verb) To stay awake late into the night
We sat up all night talking.
Ficamos acordados a noite toda conversando.
3. (noun) An abdominal exercise performed by lying on one's back and raising the torso
I did 50 sit-ups this morning.
Fiz 50 abdominais esta manhã.
4. (noun, informal) A sudden awakening or moment of attention
His comment made everyone sit up and take notice.
Seu comentário fez todos acordarem e prestar atenção.
NYC Slang
wake up (figuratively: pay attention)
Synonyms
straighten uprise upwake upabdominal exercise
Antonyms
lie downreclinesleep

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
sentar-se / abdominal / flexão abdominal
Most common usage in Brazil
São Paulo
sentar-se direito / abdominal
Standard usage
Rio de Janeiro
sentar direito / abdominal
Colloquial variation
Portugal
sentar-se direito / exercício abdominal
Portuguese standard usage

Related Idioms & Phrases

sit up and take notice
sit up straight
sit up all night
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