vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Hang about" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "quedarse esperando", and "sit on" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "no dar trámite a". Learn more about the difference between "hang about" and "sit on" below.
hang about(
hahng
uh
-
baut
)An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
1. (colloquial) (to wait for something) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
a. quedarse esperando
I suppose we've no choice but to hang about 'til Armando comes back.Supongo que no nos queda otra alternativa que quedarnos esperando hasta que vuelva Armando.
2. (colloquial) (to deliberate) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
a. pensárselo demasiado
You don't have time to hang about. You need to take a decision.No tienes el tiempo para pensártelo demasiado. Tienes que tomar una decisión.
A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
a. dar vueltas por
There were some dodgy characters hanging about the park.Había unos tipos sospechosos que daban vueltas por la vecindad.
b. merodear por
The last time I saw Daniel, he was hanging about the neighborhood with his friends.La última vez que vi a Daniel, estaba merodeando por la vecindad con sus amigos.
sit on(
sihd
an
)A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
1. (colloquial) (to avoid addressing)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. no dar trámite a
After months, Congress is still sitting on the bill.Tras varios meses, el congreso aún no ha dado trámite al proyecto.
2. (colloquial) (to repress)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. hacer callar
The president is very upset with the protestors. He's said that someone should sit on them.Al presidente le molestan mucho los protestantes, dijo que alguien debería hacerlos callar.
a. ser miembro de
I sit on the board of the Women's Center.Soy miembro de la mesa directiva del Centro para mujeres.
b. formar parte de
I sit on the Committee for Student Health.Formo parte del Comité para la salud estudiantil.
4. (colloquial) (to keep secret)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. ocultar
I haven't told your mother yet, so can you sit on this for now?Todavía no he hablado con tu mamá, ¿podrías ocultar esto por ahora?
