(of a person) to be in an upright position on the feet.
2.
to rise to one's feet (often fol. by up).
3.
to have a specified height when in this position: a basketball player who stands six feet seven inches.
4.
to stop or remain motionless or steady on the feet.
5.
to take a position or place as indicated: to stand aside.
6.
to remain firm or steadfast, as in a cause.
7.
to take up or maintain a position or attitude with respect to a person, issue, or the like: to stand as sponsor for a person.
8.
to have or adopt a certain policy, course, or attitude, as of adherence, support, opposition, or resistance: He stands for free trade.
9.
(of things) to be in an upright or vertical position, be set on end, or rest on or as on a support.
10.
to be set, placed, fixed, located, or situated: The building stands at 34th Street and 5th Avenue.
11.
(of an account, score, etc.) to show, be, or remain as indicated; show the specified position of the parties concerned: The score stood 18 to 14 at the half.
12.
to remain erect or whole; resist change, decay, or destruction (often fol. by up): The ruins still stand. The old building stood up well.
13.
to continue in force or remain valid: The agreement stands as signed.
14.
to remain still, stationary, or unused: The bicycle stood in the basement all winter.
15.
to be or become stagnant, as water.
16.
(of persons or things) to be or remain in a specified state, condition, relation, relative position, etc.: He stood in jeopardy of losing his license.
17.
to have the possibility or likelihood: He stands to gain a sizable profit through the sale of the house.
18.
Chiefly British. to become or be a candidate, as for public office (usually fol. by for).
19.
Nautical.
a.
to take or hold a particular course at sea.
b.
to move in a certain direction: to stand offshore.
20.
(of a male domestic animal, esp. a stud) to be available as a sire, usually for a fee: Three Derby winners are now standing in Kentucky.
–verb (used with object)
21.
to cause to stand; set upright; set: Stand the chair by the lamp.
22.
to face or encounter: to stand an assault.
23.
to undergo or submit to: to stand trial.
24.
to endure or undergo without harm or damage or without giving way: His eyes are strong enough to stand the glare.
25.
to endure or tolerate: She can't stand her father.
26.
to treat or pay for: I'll stand you to a drink when the manuscript is in.
27.
to perform the duty of or participate in as part of one's job or duty: to stand watch aboard ship.
–noun
28.
the act of standing; an assuming of or a remaining in an upright position.
29.
a cessation of motion; halt or stop.
30.
a determined effort for or against something, esp. a final defensive effort: Custer's last stand.
31.
a determined policy, position, attitude, etc., taken or maintained: We must take a stand on political issues.
32.
the place in which a person or thing stands; station.
Chiefly British. a complete set of arms or accoutrements for one soldier.
—Verb phrases
51.
stand by,
a.
to uphold; support: She stood by him whenever he was in trouble.
b.
to adhere to (an agreement, promise, etc.); affirm: She stood by her decision despite her sister's arguments.
c.
to stand ready; wait: Please stand by while I fix this antenna.
d.
to get ready to speak, act, etc., as at the beginning of a radio or television program.
e.
to be ready to board a plane, train, or other transport if accommodations become available at the last minute.
52.
stand down,
a.
Law. to leave the witness stand.
b.
to step aside; withdraw, as from a competition: I agreed to stand down so that she could run for the nomination unopposed.
c.
to leave or take out of active work or service: to stand down some of the ships in the fleet.
53.
stand for,
a.
to represent; symbolize: P.S. stands for “postscript.”
b.
to advocate; favor: He stands for both freedom and justice.
c.
Informal. to tolerate; allow: I won't stand for any nonsense!
54.
stand in with,
a.
to be in association or conspiracy with.
b.
to enjoy the favor of; be on friendly terms with.
55.
stand off,
a.
to keep or stay at a distance.
b.
to put off; evade.
56.
stand on,
a.
to depend on; rest on: The case stands on his testimony.
b.
to be particular about; demand: to stand on ceremony.
c.
Nautical. to maintain a course and speed.
57.
stand out,
a.
to project; protrude: The piers stand out from the harbor wall.
b.
to be conspicuous or prominent: She stands out in a crowd.
c.
to persist in opposition or resistance; be inflexible.
d.
Nautical. to maintain a course away from shore.
58.
stand over,
a.
to supervise very closely; watch constantly: He won't work unless someone stands over him.
b.
to put aside temporarily; postpone: to let a project stand over until the following year.
59.
stand to,
a.
to continue to hold; persist in: to stand to one's statement.
b.
to keep at steadily: Stand to your rowing, men!
c.
to wait in readiness; stand by: Stand to for action.
60.
stand up,
a.
to come to or remain in a standing position: to stand up when being introduced.
b.
to remain strong, convincing, or durable: The case will never stand up in court. Wool stands up better than silk.
c.
Slang. to fail to keep an appointment with (someone, esp. a sweetheart or date): I waited for Kim for an hour before I realized I'd been stood up.
61.
stand up for,
a.
to defend the cause of; support: No one could understand why he stood up for an incorrigible criminal.
b.
to serve a bridegroom or bride, as best man or maid (matron) of honor.
62.
stand up to, to meet or deal with fearlessly; confront: to stand up to a bully.
—Idioms
63.
stand a chance or show, to have a chance or possibility, esp. of winning or surviving: He's a good shortstop but doesn't stand a chance of making the major leagues because he can't hit.
[Origin: bef. 900; ME standen (v.), OE standan; c. OS standan, MD standen, OHG stantan, standa, standan; akin to L stāre to stand, sistere, Gk histánai to make stand, Skt sthā to stand, OIr at-tá (he) is]
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Audio Help [stand] Pronunciation Key, verb, stood, stand·ing, noun, plural stands for 28–48, stands, stand for 49.