1stand 
/ˈstænd/ verb
stands; stood /ˈstænd/ verb /ˈstʊd/; stand·ing 1 [no obj] a : to be in an upright position with all of your weight on your feet
▪ She was standing near the window. ▪ He was standing next to me. ▪ All of the seats on the bus were taken so we had to stand. ▪ Don't just stand there (doing nothing)—do something! ▪ He can stand using a cane. ▪ You're standing on my foot. [=you're standing with your foot on top of my foot] ▪ He was standing in a puddle of water. ▪ The deer stood still, listening for danger. ▪ The soldiers stood (up) straight. ▪ We had to stand in line for over an hour. ▪ People were just standing around [=standing without doing anything], waiting to get inside the theater.
b : to move onto your feet from a sitting or low position
▪ Please stand [=(more formally) rise] for the national anthem. — often + up ▪ He stood up to greet her. ▪ She was crouching down to look at something, but she stood up when she saw me. 2 a [no obj] : to be in an upright position
▪ Two bowling pins were left standing. ▪ A shovel and rake stood in the corner. ▪ The house she grew up in is no longer standing. [=the house has been destroyed or knocked down; the house no longer exists]
b [+ obj] : to put (something or someone) in an upright position
▪ She stood the ladder against the house. — often + up ▪ He stood the boy up on a chair. ▪ Could you stand the picture frame back up? 3 [no obj] a always followed by an adverb or preposition : to be in a particular place or position
▪ A clock stood on the mantelpiece. ▪ The mansion stands on a hill. ▪ A row of trees stands between the two houses. — often used figuratively ▪ A single putt stands between her and the title. [=if she makes the putt, she will win the title] ▪ Go ahead and leave. I won't stand in your way. [=I won't try to stop you] ▪ We won't let anyone or anything stand in the way of our happiness. [=prevent us from being happy]
b : to remain in a place or position without moving or being moved
▪ The plane stood on the runway ready for takeoff. ▪ The machine stood idle. ▪ rainwater standing in stagnant pools ▪ Add the water and let the mixture stand for three minutes. 4 not used in progressive tenses [no obj] : to be a specified height
▪ He stands six feet two (inches tall). ▪ The tower stands over 1,000 feet high. 5 [no obj] : to be in a particular state or situation
▪ Where do we stand financially? [=what is our financial condition?] ▪ She stands accused of murder. [=she has been accused of murder] 6 [no obj] : to have a particular belief or opinion about something
▪ Where do you stand on the death penalty? Do you think it should be used or not? ▪ We still don't know where he stands on this issue. ▪ They stand divided [=they disagree] on this issue. ▪ She stands for/against the new regulations. [=she supports/opposes the new regulations] ▪ We ask you to stand (with us) in support of this proposal. [=we ask you to support this proposal] ▪ From where I stand, I think we have to do it. 7 always followed by an adverb or preposition [no obj] : to have a particular rank or position within a group
▪ The team still stands [=ranks] first in the division. ▪ She is currently standing in second place. ▪ (chiefly Brit) He stands high/low with the voters. [=the voters have a good/bad opinion of him] 8 [no obj] : to continue to be at a specified number or amount — often + at ▪ Interest rates stand at 13 percent. ▪ The home run record stands at 73. 9 [no obj] : to not be changed : to remain valid or effective
▪ The decision still stands. ▪ The record she set seems likely to stand for many years. 10 [no obj] : to exist at the present time
▪ You must take or leave our offer as it stands. ▪ That is how the situation stands at present. ▪ As things stand, we will not be able to meet your deadline. 11 [no obj] : to be in a position in which you are likely to gain or lose something — followed by to + verb ▪ We stand to make a sizable profit from the sale. ▪ They stand to lose their home if they can't find a way to pay their bills. 12 [+ obj] a : to be willing or able to accept (something or someone unpleasant) without complaint — usually used with can, can't, cannot, could, and couldn't ▪ Can you stand [=tolerate, put up with] waiting a few more minutes? = Can you stand to wait a few more minutes? ▪ How can you stand her friends? ▪ He couldn't stand [=bear, endure] the pain. ▪ I can only stand so much of your nonsense. ▪ His behavior was more than I could stand. ▪ I couldn't stand the thought/idea of having to move again.
b — used to say that someone strongly dislikes a person or thing ▪ I can't stand him. [=I hate him] ▪ She can't stand cooking. = She can't stand to cook. ▪ They can't stand being apart. ▪ I can't stand it when people behave like that! 13 [+ obj] : to not be harmed by (something) : withstand
▪ I need a frying pan that can stand being placed in the oven. ▪ These plants can stand [=endure] very cold temperatures. ▪ His plays have stood the test of time. [=his plays are still read by many people today] 14 [+ obj] — used to say that someone or something should have or do something or would be helped by something — usually used after could ▪ You look like you could stand some sleep. [=you look very tired; you look like you need some sleep] ▪ He could stand losing a few pounds. = He could stand to lose a few pounds. ▪ That bush could stand to be trimmed. [=that bush needs to be trimmed] 15 [no obj] Brit : to be a candidate in an election for a particular office — often + for ▪ He is standing [=(US) running] for a seat in Parliament. 16 [+ obj] Brit, informal : to pay for (a meal or drink)
▪ I'll stand a meal for you. = I'll stand you a meal. ▪ He stood drinks for the table.
▪ She was standing near the window. ▪ He was standing next to me. ▪ All of the seats on the bus were taken so we had to stand. ▪ Don't just stand there (doing nothing)—do something! ▪ He can stand using a cane. ▪ You're standing on my foot. [=you're standing with your foot on top of my foot] ▪ He was standing in a puddle of water. ▪ The deer stood still, listening for danger. ▪ The soldiers stood (up) straight. ▪ We had to stand in line for over an hour. ▪ People were just standing around [=standing without doing anything], waiting to get inside the theater.
b : to move onto your feet from a sitting or low position
▪ Please stand [=(more formally) rise] for the national anthem. — often + up ▪ He stood up to greet her. ▪ She was crouching down to look at something, but she stood up when she saw me.
▪ Two bowling pins were left standing. ▪ A shovel and rake stood in the corner. ▪ The house she grew up in is no longer standing. [=the house has been destroyed or knocked down; the house no longer exists]
b [+ obj] : to put (something or someone) in an upright position
▪ She stood the ladder against the house. — often + up ▪ He stood the boy up on a chair. ▪ Could you stand the picture frame back up?
▪ A clock stood on the mantelpiece. ▪ The mansion stands on a hill. ▪ A row of trees stands between the two houses. — often used figuratively ▪ A single putt stands between her and the title. [=if she makes the putt, she will win the title] ▪ Go ahead and leave. I won't stand in your way. [=I won't try to stop you] ▪ We won't let anyone or anything stand in the way of our happiness. [=prevent us from being happy]
b : to remain in a place or position without moving or being moved
▪ The plane stood on the runway ready for takeoff. ▪ The machine stood idle. ▪ rainwater standing in stagnant pools ▪ Add the water and let the mixture stand for three minutes.
▪ He stands six feet two (inches tall). ▪ The tower stands over 1,000 feet high.
▪ Where do we stand financially? [=what is our financial condition?] ▪ She stands accused of murder. [=she has been accused of murder]
▪ Where do you stand on the death penalty? Do you think it should be used or not? ▪ We still don't know where he stands on this issue. ▪ They stand divided [=they disagree] on this issue. ▪ She stands for/against the new regulations. [=she supports/opposes the new regulations] ▪ We ask you to stand (with us) in support of this proposal. [=we ask you to support this proposal] ▪ From where I stand, I think we have to do it.
▪ The team still stands [=ranks] first in the division. ▪ She is currently standing in second place. ▪ (chiefly Brit) He stands high/low with the voters. [=the voters have a good/bad opinion of him]
▪ The decision still stands. ▪ The record she set seems likely to stand for many years.
▪ You must take or leave our offer as it stands. ▪ That is how the situation stands at present. ▪ As things stand, we will not be able to meet your deadline.
b — used to say that someone strongly dislikes a person or thing ▪ I can't stand him. [=I hate him] ▪ She can't stand cooking. = She can't stand to cook. ▪ They can't stand being apart. ▪ I can't stand it when people behave like that!
▪ I need a frying pan that can stand being placed in the oven. ▪ These plants can stand [=endure] very cold temperatures. ▪ His plays have stood the test of time. [=his plays are still read by many people today]
▪ I'll stand a meal for you. = I'll stand you a meal. ▪ He stood drinks for the table.
(as) sure as I'm standing here
US, informal — used to say that you believe that something is certainly true, will happen, etc. ▪ They may claim that this was a surprise to them, but as sure as I'm standing here, they planned it all along.
I stand corrected — see 2correct
make your hair stand on end — see hair
not have a leg to stand on — see 1leg
stand a chance — see 1chance
stand alone 1 : to be in a position or situation in which you are not helped or supported by others
▪ She stood alone in her opposition to the proposal. 2 — used to say that someone or something is better than all others ▪ For great sound quality, this system stands alone.
▪ She stood alone in her opposition to the proposal.
stand aside [phrasal verb] 1 : move to the left or right with one or a few small steps
▪ Please stand aside and let me pass. 2 : to allow something to happen : to not try to stop someone from doing something
▪ I'm not going to stand aside [=stand by] and watch you ruin your life.
▪ Please stand aside and let me pass.
▪ I'm not going to stand aside [=stand by] and watch you ruin your life.
stand back [phrasal verb] 1 : to take a few steps backwards
▪ The paramedics told the crowd to stand back. 2 : to stop doing something or being actively involved in something for a time so that you can think about it and make decisions in a calm and reasonable way
▪ It's time to stand back [=step back] and take a long hard look at your problems.
▪ The paramedics told the crowd to stand back.
▪ It's time to stand back [=step back] and take a long hard look at your problems.
stand behind [phrasal verb]
stand behind (someone or something) : to support (someone or something)
▪ I'll stand behind you no matter what you decide to do. ▪ I'll stand behind your decision 100 percent.
▪ I'll stand behind you no matter what you decide to do. ▪ I'll stand behind your decision 100 percent.
stand by [phrasal verb] 1 : to stand or be present without taking any action while something is happening
▪ A group of students stood by and watched the boys fight. ▪ How can you stand by and do nothing? 2 : to be ready or available for use
▪ An ambulance was standing by in case anyone got seriously injured. ▪ Operators are standing by (to take your calls). — see also standby 3 stand by (something) a : to support or defend (something)
▪ He said that he was standing by what he said earlier. ▪ I stand by my actions and have no regrets.
b : to act in the way that is required by (something, such as belief or promise)
▪ She stood by her promise. 4 stand by (someone) : to remain loyal to (someone) : to continue to support (someone)
▪ They promised to stand by each other until the end. ▪ She stood by her husband throughout the trial.
▪ A group of students stood by and watched the boys fight. ▪ How can you stand by and do nothing?
▪ An ambulance was standing by in case anyone got seriously injured. ▪ Operators are standing by (to take your calls). — see also standby
▪ He said that he was standing by what he said earlier. ▪ I stand by my actions and have no regrets.
b : to act in the way that is required by (something, such as belief or promise)
▪ She stood by her promise.
▪ They promised to stand by each other until the end. ▪ She stood by her husband throughout the trial.
stand down
[phrasal verb] Brit 1 : to leave the witness stand in a court of law
▪ The judge thanked the witness and allowed her to stand down. 2 : to leave a job or official position
▪ He stood down [=stepped down] (from his office) as Lord Mayor. ▪ She stood down in favour of a more popular candidate.
▪ The judge thanked the witness and allowed her to stand down.
▪ He stood down [=stepped down] (from his office) as Lord Mayor. ▪ She stood down in favour of a more popular candidate.
stand firm
: to refuse to change your decision, position, etc.
▪ The judge stood firm in her ruling.
▪ The judge stood firm in her ruling.
stand for [phrasal verb]
stand for (something) 1 : to have (a specified meaning)
▪ “FYI” stands for “for your information.” ▪ The sign @ stands for “at.” ▪ The color white often stands for [=represents] innocence and purity. 2 : to support (something)
▪ The political party has always stood for reform. 3 : to allow (something) to continue to happen — usually used in negative statements ▪ I will not stand for [=put up with] any more of this nonsense. — see also 1stand 15 (above)
▪ “FYI” stands for “for your information.” ▪ The sign @ stands for “at.” ▪ The color white often stands for [=represents] innocence and purity.
▪ The political party has always stood for reform.
stand guard/watch
: to stand in a position and guard or watch someone or something in order to look for possible danger, threats, etc.
▪ A soldier stood guard by the door.
▪ A soldier stood guard by the door.
stand in [phrasal verb]
: to take the place of (someone who is away for a time)
▪ He can't be here today, so he asked me to stand in. [=fill in] — often + for ▪ He asked me to stand in for him while he was away. — see also stand-in
▪ He can't be here today, so he asked me to stand in. [=fill in] — often + for ▪ He asked me to stand in for him while he was away. — see also stand-in
stand on ceremony — see ceremony
stand on your head/hands
: to be in a position in which your legs and feet are straight up in the air and your weight is supported by your head or hands
▪ She can stand on her head/hands. [=she can do a headstand/handstand]
▪ She can stand on her head/hands. [=she can do a headstand/handstand]
stand on your own two feet — see 1foot
stand or fall
— used to say that the future or success of someone or something depends on another person or thing ▪ We (will) stand or fall by their decision. [=their decision will control what happens to us] ▪ Our company will stand or fall on our ability to make better products than our competitors. [=our success or failure depends on our ability to make better products than our competitors]
stand out [phrasal verb] 1 : to be easily seen or noticed
▪ His bright tie made him stand out (in the crowd). ▪ The trees' red leaves stood out against the gray sky. 2 : to be better or more important than the other people or things in a group in a way that is easily seen or noticed
▪ As a student, she stood out above/from the rest. ▪ Only one contestant really stands out [=sticks out] in my mind. ▪ Two facts stand out from her testimony. ▪ His performance really stood out. 3 : to stick out from a surface
▪ The hat made her ears stand out. — see also standout
▪ His bright tie made him stand out (in the crowd). ▪ The trees' red leaves stood out against the gray sky.
▪ As a student, she stood out above/from the rest. ▪ Only one contestant really stands out [=sticks out] in my mind. ▪ Two facts stand out from her testimony. ▪ His performance really stood out.
▪ The hat made her ears stand out. — see also standout
stand out like a sore thumb — see 1sore
stand pat — see 3pat
stand someone/something in good stead — see stead
stand tall
: to stand with your body very straight — often used figuratively in U.S. English ▪ We can stand tall and take pride in what we've accomplished. ▪ Despite the criticism, he has continued to stand tall.
stand to reason — see 1reason
stand trial
: to be on trial in a court of law
▪ He is standing trial for the murder of his wife.
▪ He is standing trial for the murder of his wife.
stand up [phrasal verb] 1 : to remain valid or acceptable when tested or examined
▪ We need evidence that will stand up in court. 2 stand (someone) up informal : to fail to meet or keep an appointment with (someone)
▪ You stood me up yesterday. ▪ I got stood up by my date. 3 stand up for (someone or something) : to defend (someone or something) against attack or criticism
▪ He stood up for his friend. ▪ You have to stand up for yourself. ▪ They were standing up for their rights. 4 stand up to (someone) : to refuse to accept bad treatment from (someone)
▪ She finally stood up to the girl who had been teasing her at school. 5 stand up to (something) : to remain in good condition despite (something)
▪ These boots have stood up to [=withstood] a lot of abuse. 6 stand up and be counted : to make your opinions or beliefs publicly known especially when such action may cause trouble
▪ It's time for everyone who cares about this issue to stand up and be counted. — see also 1stand 1b, 2b (above), stand-up
▪ We need evidence that will stand up in court.
▪ You stood me up yesterday. ▪ I got stood up by my date.
▪ He stood up for his friend. ▪ You have to stand up for yourself. ▪ They were standing up for their rights.
▪ She finally stood up to the girl who had been teasing her at school.
▪ These boots have stood up to [=withstood] a lot of abuse.
▪ It's time for everyone who cares about this issue to stand up and be counted. — see also 1stand 1b, 2b (above), stand-up
stand your ground — see 1ground
