take a pew

English

Alternative forms

pull up a pew

Pronunciation

Audio (AU) (file)

Verb

take a pew (third-person singular simple present takes a pew, present participle taking a pew, simple past took a pew, past participle taken a pew)

(UK, idiomatic) To take a seat; to sit down.
- 1903, P. G. Wodehouse, chapter 16, in A Prefect's Uncle:
  There are many ways of inviting a person to seat himself. The genial ‘take a pew’ of one's equal inspires confidence. The raucous ‘sit down in front’ of the frenzied pit, when you stand up to get a better view of the stage, is not so pleasant.
- 1904, John Galsworthy, chapter 18, in The Island Pharisees:
  "Oh!" he said, looking round him with his chin a little in the air, "am I intruding, Turl?" . . .
  "Not at all, Berryman—take a pew!"
- 1919, William Somerset Maugham, chapter 11, in Moon and Sixpence:
  "Come in," he said cheerily. "I'm delighted to see you. Take a pew."
- 1965, Ian Fleming, chapter 1, in The Man with the Golden Gun:
  "Come in. Come in. Take a pew. Cigarette?"

Usage notes

Used chiefly in the imperative mood, as a casual invitation to be seated.