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**stick**² v stʌk /stʌk/ 1 [T+obj+adv/prep] to push (especially a pointed object) into or through something: Don't stick pins into the chair. | She stuck her fork into the meat. 2 [I;T] to (cause to) be fixed (as if) with a sticky substance: What's wrong with this stamp? It won't stick. | The paint was still wet and the door handle stuck to my hand. | 'The handle's broken off.' 'Stick it with glue.' | He stuck down the flap of the envelope. | He stuck the picture on the wall. 3 [I] to become fixed in position; not move: He tried to poke his head through the tiny opening, but it stuck. | I can't get this door to open - it keeps sticking. | (fig.) a chance remark which stuck in her mind (=which she (frequently) remembered) -> see also STUCK 4 [T+obj+adv/prep] infml to put: Stick your coat down over there. | She stuck the flowers in a vase of water. 5 [T usually in questions and negatives; not in progressive forms] infml, especially BrE to like or accept; bear: I can't stick her husband. | I can't stick this dull job any longer. | [+v-ing] I can't stick waiting around like this. 6 [I] infml to remain in effect, especially by being able to be proved: The police won't bring the case to court because they don't think they can make the charges stick. 7 [T] slang to keep (something unwanted): If that's all you're prepared to pay, you can stick your job. (=because I certainly do not want it) 8 stick in one's throat infml to be hard to accept: Having to pay out £50 for such a small repair really sticks in my throat. 9 stick it to someone AmE infml to treat someone very badly, especially by charging too much money: They really stuck it to us when they saw we were driving a Cadillac.
**stick about/around** phr v [I] infml to not go away; stay or wait in a place, especially in the hope of some advantage
**stick at sthg.** phr v [T] 1 to continue to work hard at: If we stick at it, we should finish the job by midnight. 2 to be unwilling to do (especially something wrong) (usually in the phrase stick at nothing): He'll stick at nothing, not even breaking the law, to get his own way.
**stick by sthg./sb.** phr v [T] infml to continue to support: I still stick by what I said in the first place: I don't believe her. | I'll always stick by my friends.
**stick out** phr v 1 [I;T(= stick sthg. <-> out)] to (cause to) come outwards from a surface or main part; (cause to) PROJECT: Her ears stick out. | I stuck my tongue out at him. (=especially as a rude sign of dislike) | She stuck out her foot and tripped him over. 2 [I] infml to be very clearly seen: He's guilty and it sticks out a mile. (=is very clear) | When I turned up at the formal dinner wearing jeans and a sweatshirt I stuck out like a sore thumb. (=clearly looked very unsuitable) 3 [T[stick sthg. <-> out]] to continue to the end of (something difficult): I don't know if I'll be able to stick out the evening. I don't like this course, but I'll stick it out somehow. 4 stick one's neck out infml to take a risk; say or do something that may fail, be wrong, or harm one: A politician supporting an unpopular law is sticking his neck out; he may lose the next election.
**stick out for sthg.** phr v [T] to refuse to accept less than (what one asked for): In spite of the boss's refusal, the staff are sticking out for higher pay.
**stick to sthg.** phr v [T] 1 to act according to or keep to (something); not give up: I've made my decision and I'm going to stick to it. | We haven't got much time, so please stick to the point. (=don't talk about anything other than the subject we are supposed to be talking about) | I didn't like that China tea; I'll stick to Indian tea in future. -> see also STICK-TO-ITIVENESS 2 stick to one's guns infml to continue to express one's beliefs or carry on a course of action in spite of attacks
**stick together** phr v [I] infml (of two or more people) to stay loyal to each other
**stick up** phr v [T] infml 1 [(stick up sthg./sb.)] to rob or threaten with a gun: to stick up a bank 2 [usually imperative (stick sthg. <-> up)] to raise (the hands) when threatened with a gun: He stuck a gun into my back and said 'Stick 'em up.' -> see also STICK-UP
**stick up for sb.** phr v [T] to support and defend by words or actions: When they hit you, you should stick up for yourself instead of crying. | When everyone else was criticizing him he was the only one who stuck up for him.
**stick with sb./sth.** phr v [T] infml 1 to stay close to or loyal to: I know you're new in this job, but stick with me and you'll be all right. 2 infml to remain in the memory of: One thing he said really stuck with me... 3 stick with it to continue, especially in spite of difficulties; PERSIST
**stick-ball** /'stɪkbɔːl/ n [U] a game similar to BASEBALL played by children in the US with any small ball and a stick (usually a BROOMSTICK)
**stick-er** /'stɪkə/ n 1 a small piece of paper or other material (LABEL) with a picture or message on the front, which can be stuck on to things: The back window of his car is covered with stickers with the names of the places he's visited. -> see also BUMPER, STICKER 2 infml apprec a determined person
**'sticker, price** n AmE the price of something, especially a car, that is written on it or given in advertisements, but that may be reduced by the person selling it.
**'stick, figure** n a very simple drawing of a person, using lines for the limbs and a circle for the head stick figures
**'sticking, plaster** n BrE fml for PLASTER
**'sticking point** n something that prevents an agreement: In the strike talks, the question of compulsory redundancy could prove a sticking point.
**'stick, insect** BrE || walking-stick AmE - n a usually wingless insect with a long thin body like a stick
**'stick-in-the-mud** n infml derog a person who will not change or accept new things: He's stubborn and conservative; in fact, he's a real old stick-in-the-mud!
**stick-le-back** /'stɪkləbæk/ n a small fish with several sharp points on its back
**stick-ler** /'stɪklə/ n [(for)] infml a person who considers a particular quality, sort of behaviour etc to be very important, and demands that people should act in accordance with this: The sergeant major's a stickler for discipline.
**'stick-on** adj [A] which has a sticky substance on the back by which it can be fixed: a stick-on price label
**stick-pin** /'stɪkˌpɪn/ n AmE a decorative pin, especially one worn on a tie
**sticks** /stɪks/ n [the pl] infml, often derog a country area far from modern life: They live out in the sticks.
**'stick shift** n AmE 1 a GEAR LEVER 2 a car that uses a GEAR LEVER
**stick-to-it-ive-ness** /ˌstɪk ˈtuː ɪtvnəs/ n [U] AmE infml the ability to continue with effort, especially in the face of difficulties
**'stick-up** n infml a robbery carried out by threatening with a gun -> see also STICK UP
**sticky** /'stɪki/ adj 1 made of, containing, or covered with a substance, especially a thick liquid, which stays fixed to anything it touches, and is used for fastening things firmly together: sticky sweets | His fingers are sticky with jam. | sticky labels 2 infml (of a situation) difficult; awkward: He put me in rather a sticky position by telling me that secret; they're sure to ask me about it. 3 [F{about}] infml not willing to help, be generous etc: I asked him to lend me some money, but he was rather sticky about it. 4 have sticky fingers AmE infml to be likely to steal something: That boy has sticky fingers. Keep an eye on him while he's in the store. -iness n [U]
**sticky 'end** n [C usually sing.] BrE infml bad or dishonourable ruin, destruction etc, especially an unpleasant death: He'll come to/meet a sticky end if he goes on driving so crazy.
**sticky 'wicket** n [(on) S] BrE infml a situation that is or may become difficult
**stiff**¹ /stɪf/ adj 1 not easily bent or changed in shape; RIGID: stiff paper | Shoes are often stiff when they're new. | Beat the egg whites until stiff. 2 (especially of joints or muscles of the body) not bending or moving easily, and often painful: I can't play the piano like I used to - my fingers have gone stiff from lack of practice. | a stiff back | He felt very stiff the day after his first weight-training class. | I had difficulty turning the key - the lock's very stiff. 3 formal; not friendly: a stiff smile | Her rather stiff manner puts people off. 4 [A] infml