Let’s look at some phrasal verbs with stand.
to stand up
1.) to rise to your feet (intransitive)
Everyone who agreed with the compromise, please stand up.
2.) to put something in an upright position (transitive)
We stood the peace flag up in the corner of the room.
3.) to fail to keep an appointment, and to fail to notify someone of the cancellation (transitive)
We are meeting for coffee to reach an agreement. Don’t stand us up.
4.) to stand up for something/someone in defense against criticism or attack. (transitive)
Do you stand up for the right of civilians to live in peace?
Note that it is also an adjective, meaning trustworthy or having integrity.
We need world leaders who are stand up and principled.
to stand down
1.) to stop fighting (intransitive)
The presidents told their armies to stand down.
to stand by
1.) to be ready to help (intransitive)
The medics are standing by, in case they are needed.
Note that it is also a noun. The aid workers are on stand by.
2.) to do nothing to stop something bad from occurring (intransitive)
We won’t stand by and say nothing while corrupt politicians drag the world into war.
3.) to stand by somebody – to support someone (intransitive / followed by an object)
We stand by civilians everywhere, who want to live in peace.
to stand out
1.) to be obvious, conspicuous, and noticeable (intransitive)
The white dove symbol stood out against the dark background.
2.) to be excellent
Our president stands out for his courage to denounce war crimes.
to stand around
1.) to wait, waste time, or stand while doing little (intransitive)
The greedy politicians stood around, waiting for their hand out from defense contractors.
to stand for
1.) to tolerate or accept (intransitive/used in a negative form)
We will no longer stand for policies that fail to represent the people.
2.) to represent (intransitive)
What do you stand for?
What does UK stand for? It stands for United Kingdom.
Try the quiz!
Conversation questions
1.) Describe a time you stood up for someone.
2.) What behaviour won’t you stand for?
3.) Why do people sometimes stand by and watch violence, and not help the victim?
4.) What makes you stand out? What is special about you?
5.) Do you usually stand up for yourself, or are you passive?
6.) Have you ever been on stand by, ready to help at a moment’s notice?
