Hi everyone! Thank you for tuning in to Time for English.

Let's say, you're in a club. There's a dance floor. A gentleman comes up to you and asks you to dance with him. But you prefer not to. You don't feel like dancing. What would you say?

Well, there's a polite way of saying no to someone or declining an offer. You can just say, "I think I'll sit this one out". According to Longman, to sit something out means "to not take part in something, especially a game or dance, when you usually take part".

So, it doesn't have to be about dancing. You may be invited for a pool game, a drink or a barbeque party. When you want to say no, and if you want to do so politely or elegantly, you can say, "I think I'll sit this one out".

Oh, just in case, you may not want to use this phrase for a marriage proposal.

Now, would you like to practice together? Please repeat after me:

I think I'll sit this one out.