verb | noun
standstand1 /stænd/ ●●● S1 W1 verb (past tense and past participle stood /stʊd/) 1be on your feet [intransitive] to support yourself on your feet in an upright position: She was so weak that she could barely stand. I was standing a few feet away from him.stand in/behind/beside etc. He stood on the corner, waiting for a bus. Don’t just stand there (=stand and not do anything) – help me!stand (somewhere) doing something I stood there waiting. Could you stand still (=not move) for just a minute?stand on your toes/stand on tiptoe (=support yourself on your toes) → see also standstill2RISE [intransitive, transitive] (also stand up) to rise to an upright position on your feet, or to make someone do this SYN rise: We all stood and clapped. Stand up, Joey.stand somebody (up) on something Dad stood me up on a chair so I could see.3step [intransitive always + adv./prep.] to step a short distance: stand back/aside (=step backwards or sideways) Helen stood back to admire the painting. The doctors told everyone to stand clear (=move away from something).4in a particular position [intransitive, transitive always + adv./prep.] to be upright in a particular position, or to put something somewhere in an upright position: Few houses were left standing after the tornado. There’s a parking lot where the theater once stood.stand something on/in/over etc. Stand the bookcase against the wall over there.► see thesaurus at lean15IN A STATE/SITUATION [intransitive always + adv./prep., linking verb] to be in, stay in, or get into a particular state or situation: The kitchen door stood open. The house has stood empty since Mrs. Green died. Warships are standing on alert in case there is an attack.the way things stand/as things stand As things stand, we’ll be lucky to finish the job by Monday.where/how do things stand? Where do things stand in terms of the budget?stand united/divided (=agree or disagree completely) He urged the nation to stand united against terrorism.stand prepared/ready to do something (=be prepared to do something whenever it is necessary) We teachers need to stand together (=stay united) if we want better pay. → see also be/stand in awe of somebody at awe1 (2)6ACCEPT A SITUATION [intransitive, transitive] to be able to accept or deal well with a difficult situation SYN tolerate: I can’t stand it! You’re being such a fool!can/could stand I could barely stand the pain.stand letting/allowing etc. somebody doing something How can you stand letting her talk to you like that?► see thesaurus at tolerate7BE GOOD ENOUGH [transitive] to be done or made well enough to be successful, strong, or useful for a long time: The paint is designed to stand all kinds of weather. His poetry will stand the test of time (=stay popular). → see also stand up8not move [intransitive] to stay in a particular place without moving: Leave the mixture to stand for an hour.9LEVEL/AMOUNT [intransitive always + adv./prep.] to be at a particular level or amount: stand at Unemployment stands at 6%.10RANK/POSITION [intransitive always + adv./prep.] to have a particular rank or position when compared to similar things or people: He stands high on the list of suitable candidates. How does our country’s level of debt stand in relation to other countries?11HEIGHT [intransitive always + adv./prep., linking verb] formal to be a particular height: The radio antenna stands 867 feet high. John stands six feet tall.SPOKEN PHRASES12NOT LIKE can’t/couldn’t stand to not like someone or something at all, or think that something is extremely bad or disgusting SYN can’t bear: Her father can’t stand liver. Doug couldn’t stand her.can’t stand somebody/something doing something Bert can’t stand anyone touching him.can’t stand the sight/smell/taste etc. of something Alison can’t stand the sight of blood.can’t stand to see/hear/do etc. I couldn’t stand to see good food going to waste.can’t stand seeing/hearing/doing etc. I can’t stand listening to her complain. → see also stand for something13SUGGEST something TO somebody could stand used to say very directly that it would be a good idea for someone to do something or for something to happen: It looks like the kitchen could stand a good cleaning.could stand to do something You could stand to lose a few pounds.14if you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen used to say that you should leave a job or situation if you cannot deal with its difficulties15do something standing on your head to do something easily: I’ve done it so many times I could do it standing on my head.16I stand corrected formal used to admit that your opinion or something that you just said was wrong17stand to do something to be likely to do or have something: He stands to make a good deal of money. Who stands to gain from this situation?stand to win/lose Kirkland stands to lose his business if he misses a payment.18stand trial to be brought to a court of law to have your case examined and judged: stand on/for Jenkins will stand trial on corruption charges.19stand alone a)to continue to do something alone, without help from anyone else: She does not stand alone in her fight against this law. b)to be much better than anyone or anything else: Piaget’s sheer volume of research stands alone.20stand fast/firm (also stand your ground) a)to refuse to change your opinions, intentions, or decisions: The city council stood firm, rejecting the plan.stand on/against Priests were urged to stand firm against divorce. b)to not allow someone to force you to move backward: The Eagles’ defense stood firm, not letting Washington score.21stand in line to stand in a line of people, in order to wait for your turn to do something: At 6 a.m. people were already standing in line to buy bread.22stand still to not change or progress at all, although time has passed: Space technology has not stood still. Time seems to stand still in this historic hotel.23stand a chance/hope (of doing something) to be likely to be able to do something or to succeed: You’ll stand a better chance of getting a job with a degree. The Eagles don’t stand a chance against New York.24STILL EXIST [intransitive not in progressive] to continue to exist, be correct, or be valid: My offer still stands. The court of appeal has ruled that the conviction should stand.25LIQUID [intransitive] a liquid that stands does not flow or is not made to move: Mosquitos usually lay their eggs in standing water.26stand tall a)to be proud and feel ready to deal with anything: He encouraged his students to stand tall. b)to stand with your back straight and your head raised: She stood tall and faced him.27know how/where you stand (with somebody) to know how someone feels about you, or what you are allowed to do in a particular situation: I never know where I stand with him. It helps to know where you stand legally.28stand pat informal to refuse to change a decision, plan, etc.: stand on For now, the German central bank is standing pat on interest rates.29stand at attention if soldiers stand at attention, they stand very straight and stiff to show respect: The guards stood at attention as the general walked past.30stand on your head/hands to support yourself on your head or hands, with your feet in the air31where somebody stands someone’s opinion about something, or the official rule about something: stand on I’m not sure where I stand on the issue of gun control.32from where I stand (also from where I’m standing) according to what you know or feel: Well, from where I stand, it looks like you’ve found a good job.33stand guard (over somebody/something) to watch someone or something carefully so that nothing bad will happen: Soldiers stand guard on the street corners.34stand accused a)to be the person in a court of law who is being judged for a crime: Irvin stands accused of murder. b)if you stand accused of doing something bad or wrong, other people say that you have done it: The radio station stands accused of racism.35stand on your own two feet informal to be able to do what you need to do, earn your own money, etc., without help from others: She needs to learn to stand on her own two feet.36it stands to reason used to say that something should be completely clear to anyone who is sensible: If the thefts are all in the same area, it stands to reason it’s the same kids doing it.37stand in somebody’s way (also stand in the way) to prevent someone from doing something: You can’t stand in the way of progress! If he was so determined to do it, who was I to stand in his way?38stand somebody in good stead formal to be very useful to someone when needed: Saving the company millions should stand me in good stead for a promotion.39stand something on its head to show that a belief, idea, etc. is completely untrue: Galileo’s discovery stood medieval thought on its head.40stand or fall by/on to depend on something for success: The whole nation stands or falls on the Constitution.41not stand on ceremony formal to not worry about the formal rules of polite behavior[Origin: Old English standan] → see also make somebody’s hair stand on end at hair (11), not have a leg to stand on at leg (9), bystander, standby1stand against somebody/something phrasal verb to oppose a person, organization, plan, decision, etc.: As a nation, we stand against terrorism.stand around phrasal verb to stand somewhere and not do anything: There were plenty of people just standing around.stand around doing something Some kids were just standing around talking.stand by phrasal verb1stand by something to keep a promise or agreement, or to say that something is still true: I stand by what I said earlier.2stand by somebody to stay loyal to someone and support him or her, especially in a difficult situation: He’s really stood by her during her illness.3 to be ready to do something if necessary: A rescue helicopter is standing by.stand by for Stand by for the countdown.4 to not do anything to help someone or prevent something from happening: They will not stand by and let you take away their homes.stand down phrasal verb1stand (somebody) down if a soldier stands down or is stood down, he stops working for the day or stops what he is doing to obey someone: We stood down at six.2 formal to agree to leave your position or to stop trying to be elected so that someone else can have a chance: He is standing down from his post in January. → see also step down at step2stand for something phrasal verb1if a letter, number, picture, or sign stands for something, it represents a word, name, or idea, especially in a short form SYN represent: V.A. stands for Veterans Administration.► see thesaurus at mean12to support a particular set of ideas, values, or principles: Samuels hasn’t made it clear to voters exactly what he stands for.3to allow or accept something: Maggie won’t stand for any alcohol in her house.stand in for somebody phrasal verb to do someone else’s job or take his or her place for a short time: Hall will stand in for Troy as quarterback. → see also stand-instand out phrasal verb1to be very easy to see or notice: We want the picture on the cover to stand out. At six foot seven, Rich really stands out in a crowd.stand out a mile/stand out like a sore thumb His bright green jacket stood out a mile.2to be clearly better than other similar people or things: stand out as something Owen stands out as the best young player in the game.stand out from/among/above Three of the cars we tested stood out from the rest.3to rise up from a surface SYN project: The veins stood out on his arms. → see also standoutstand over somebody phrasal verb to stand very close behind or above someone and watch as he or she works, especially to make sure nothing is done wrong: I can’t concentrate with him standing over me like that.stand up phrasal verb1 to be on your feet, or to rise to your feet: I’ve been standing up all day. Jim stood up stiffly.2stand up straight to stand in a very upright way so that your shoulders are not forward: Stand up straight and pay attention.3 to stay healthy in a difficult environment or in good condition after a lot of hard use: stand up to My old truck can stand up to just about anything.4 to be proved to be true, correct, useful, etc. when tested: stand up under/to something The data may not stand up to further testing. Without a witness, these charges will never stand up in court (=be successfully proved in a court of law).5stand somebody up informal to not meet someone who you have arranged to meet: I can’t believe she stood me up.6stand up and be counted to make it very clear what you think about something, when this is dangerous or might cause trouble for you → see also stand-up1stand up for somebody/something phrasal verb to support or defend a person or idea that is being criticized or attacked: Thanks for standing up for me. Don’t be afraid to stand up for what you believe in.stand up to somebody/something phrasal verb to refuse to accept unfair treatment from a person or organization: He’s a hero to Arabs because he stood up to the United States.► see thesaurus at disobey verb | noun
standstand2 ●●● S2 W2 noun 1
FOR SUPPORT [countable] a piece of furniture or equipment used to support something: a music stand an umbrella stand2FOR SELLING [countable] a table or small structure, usually outside or in a large building, used for selling or showing things SYN stall: They have the largest stand at the conference. an ice cream stand → see also newsstand3SEATS the stands a)the place where people sit to watch a sports game SYN grandstand, bleachers: There were over 40,000 people in the stands. b)the places where magazines and newspapers can be bought: The new edition of “Time” will hit the stands (=become available to be bought) Tuesday.4OPINION/ATTITUDE [countable usually singular] a position or opinion that you state firmly and publicly SYN position: stand on/against What is their stand on environmental issues? The organization has not taken a stand on abortion.5COURT OF LAW the stand the place in a court of law where someone sits when lawyers ask him or her questions: On Monday, Richards will take the stand (=begin answering questions). Wilcox looked nervous on the stand (=when he was answering questions).6OPPOSE/DEFEND [countable] a strong effort to defend yourself or to oppose someone or something: take/make/mount a stand (against something) Neighborhood residents are taking a stand against drug dealers.7TREES a group of trees of one type growing close together SYN copse: a stand of pines8taxi/cab stand a place where taxis stop and wait for passengers → see also grandstand, one-night stand