1355
stand
accepted scientific theory on its head. (=show it to be completely untrue) 5 [!+L+adj] to remain unmoving or unused: The car stood in the garage for weeks with no one to drive it. | Some of the machinery is standing idle. (=not being used) | houses standing empty 6 [!] (of a liquid) to be still; not flow or be moved: The water lay in standing pools. | Leave the mixture to stand overnight. 7 [L+n] to put oneself in a particular position: The dog stood guard over his master's belongings. | The police released him when his father stood bail/surety for him. 8 [!] AmE (of a vehicle) to park for a short time for waiting, loading etc (used especially on signs in the phrase no standing) TO BE IN, STAY IN, OR GET INTO A PARTICULAR STATE OR SITUATION 9 [!+adv/prep] to be in, stay in, or get into a particular position or state: Stand fast/firm (=be determined) – don't let them tell you what to do. | If we all stand together (=remain united) we'll get what we want. | My assistant isn't very good; I have to stand over him (=watch him closely) all the time to make sure he does the work. | (fig.) I didn't want to stand in her way (=spoil her chances), so I withdrew my application for the job. | Everyone in the company stands in awe of her. (=admires and/or fears her) | [L+v-ed] The company stands condemned at the bar of public opinion. | He stands accused of (=is charged with) plotting to overthrow the government. 10 [!+adv/prep] to be in a particular situation or have a particular character: How do things stand between you two at the moment? | As things stand at the moment (=in the present situation) I doubt if the company can agree to this request. | Where does the party stand on the issue of immigration? (=what is its policy?) 11 [!+adv/prep] a) to show a particular level or amount: Inflation currently stands at nine per cent. | Your bank balance stands at £460. b) to have a rank or position in a range of values: I know your son stands high in his opinion. | How does England's team stand in comparison to the other teams in Europe? 12 [!+to-v] to be in a position to gain or lose: If this new law is passed, we stand to lose our tax advantage. 13 [! not in progressive forms] to remain true or in force; remain VALID: Don't forget; my offer of help still stands. | The court of appeal ruled that the conviction should be allowed to stand. OTHER MEANINGS 14 [!+adv/prep; L+n] to be in height: He stands 5 feet 10 inches. | The building stands over 200 feet high. 15 [T usually in questions and negatives; not in progressive forms] to accept successfully or without undesirable results; bear: I can't stand whisky. | This work will hardly stand close examination. | Do you think she can stand the pace (of work) here? | I think the Prime Minister's decision will stand the test of time. (=still be thought correct by people after some years) | He wants to marry me but I can't stand the sight of him. (=dislike him extremely) | [+v-ing] I can't stand seeing children smoking. | [+obj+v-ing] I never could stand people telling me what to do. | (humor) I could stand another of those cream cakes! -> see also STAND FOR; see BEAR (USAGE) 16 [T+obj(I)+obj(D)] to pay the cost of (something) for (someone else); give as a TREAT: Let me stand you a drink/meal. 17 [!(for)] BrE || run especially AmE — to compete for an office in an election; be a CANDIDATE: She intends to stand for Parliament/for club president. PHRASES 18 know how/where one stands (with someone) to know how someone feels about one: She always says what she thinks, so you always know where you stand with her. 19 stand a chance/hope to have a chance/hope: She stands a good chance of winning. | You don't stand a hope of getting the job! 20 Stand and deliver! (said in former times by armed robbers to travellers in carriages) Stop and give me your valuable possessions! 21 stand corrected to admit that one's statements, opinions etc, have been wrong: You're quite right, it was Monday, not Tuesday; I stand corrected. 22 standing on one's head infml very easily; without any trouble or effort: A genius like you can solve that problem standing on your head! 23 stand on ceremony to follow the formal rules of behaviour: Do take your jacket off; we don't stand on ceremony in this house. 24 stand one's ground a) to refuse to be forced backwards b) to refuse to accept defeat in an argument, claim etc 25 stand on one's dignity sometimes derog to demand to be treated with proper respect 26 stand on one's hands/head to support oneself on the hands/head and hands, with the feet in the air 27 stand on one's own (two) feet infml to be able to live and provide what one needs without help from others 28 stand or fall by to depend on completely for one's success: This theatre gets no subsidies, so it stands or falls by the quality of its productions. 29 stand pat AmE infml to refuse to change: She's standing pat on her decision not to allow flexible working hours. 30 stand someone in good stead to be of good use to someone when needed: The experience you have gained here will stand you in good stead in later life. 31 stand to reason to be clear to all sensible people: It stands to reason that she won't accept the job if we don't offer her a reasonable salary 32 stand trial to be tried in court: He stood trial for murder. 33 If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen quote if you are not able to deal with the problems and pressures of your job, you should change your job; a phrase first used by the US President Harry S Truman -> see also make someone's hair stand on end (HAIR), leave someone standing (LEAVE), not have a leg to stand on (LEG)
PHRASAL VERBS
stand by phr v 1 [T[stand by sbdy]] to remain loyal to, especially in a difficult situation; support and not desert: His parents were upset when he was arrested but stood by him. 2 [T[stand by sthg.]] to remain faithful to (a promise, agreement etc); keep to: I'll stand by my promise. I stand by what I said earlier. 3 [!] to remain inactive when action is needed: We couldn't stand idly by while people starved. | How can you stand by and watch/and do nothing when she needs help? 4 [!(for)] to wait and be ready for action if needed: Stand by for trouble! | [+to-v] A helicopter was standing by to get the president out if any trouble developed. | Stand by to receive a message. -> see also BYSTANDER, STANDBY
stand down phr v 1 [!] to give up one's position or chance of election: I'm prepared to stand down in favour of a younger man. -> see also step down (STEP2) 2 [!] to leave the witness box in court: Thank you, Mr Frost. You may stand down. 3 [i;T(= stand sbdy. <=> down)] especially BrE a) (of a soldier) to go off duty b) to send (a soldier) off after a period of being on duty
stand for sthg. phr v [T] 1 to be a sign or short form of; represent; mean: 'His name's James B Clarke.' 'What does the B stand for?' 2 [usually in questions and negatives] to allow to continue; accept without complaining: I wouldn't stand for that sort of treatment if I were you. | [+v-ing] I won't stand for being treated like a child. -> see also STAND 3 to have as a set of aims or principles; support: Before we vote for him, we want to know what he stands for.
stand in phr v [!(for)] to take the place of the usual person for a time: I'm standing in for the regular man while he's on holiday. -> see also STAND-IN
stand out phr v [!] 1 to have an easily-seen shape, colour etc; be very noticeable: The new road sign is easy to read; the words stand out well. | (fig.) Didn't you realize she was interested in you? I should have thought it stood out a mile! (=was very clear) 2 [from, among)] to be much better or the best: Among mystery writers, Agatha Christie stands out as a real master. -> see also OUTSTANDING 3 [against] to be firm in opposition: I'm standing out against his idea.
stand to phr v [i;T(= stand sbdy. to)] tech, especially BrE a) (of a soldier) to take up a position ready for action b) to order (a soldier) to stand to
stand up phr v 1 [! usually in progressive forms] to STAND: I've been standing up all day; it'll be a relief to sit down. | Stand up straight, boy; don't slouch! -> see also STAND 2 [!+adv/prep] to stay in good condition after testing or hard use; wear or last well: It's a robust little car that will stand up (well) to a lot of rough handling. 3 [!] to be accepted as true or proven: The charges you've made would never stand up in court. 4 [T[stand sbdy. <=> up]] infml to fail to meet (someone, especially of the opposite sex) as arranged: Where is my boyfriend? If he's stood me up I'll never speak to him again! 5 infml stand up and be counted to make one's opinions known, especially when it is dangerous or not to one's advantage to do so -> see also STAND-UP
stand up for sbdy./sthg. phr v [T] to defend against attack; support: She stood up for me/my proposals during the discussion. | You must stand up for your rights!
stand up to sbdy. phr v [T] to refuse to accept unjust unfavourable treatment of oneself by (someone): Don't let her say things like that about your work – you should stand up to her a bit more.
stand² n 1 a small often outdoor shop or place for showing things; STALL: an ice-cream stand | Come and find out more