11 Phrasal Verbs with “Stand”

11 Phrasal Verbs with “Stand”

11 Phrasal Verbs with “Stand”

Hello, dear English learners! Today, we’re returning to one of the most useful areas of vocabulary: phrasal verbs. These little combinations of verbs and particles can completely change meaning, and mastering them helps your English sound natural, confident, and fluent — especially at B2 and C1 levels. 11 Phrasal Verbs with “Stand”

The verb stand forms several excellent phrasal verbs that appear in everyday life, news reports, conversations, and even Cambridge exam texts. Below, you’ll find clear explanations and natural example sentences to help you use each expression correctly.

Let’s stand tall and dive in!

1. Stand aside

Meaning: to move out of the way and allow someone or something to pass.

• Will you please stand aside so the doctor can get through?
• Everybody, stand aside and let the mother with the pram come in.

2. Stand back

Meaning: to move away from something, especially for safety or a better view.

• The police ordered the crowd to stand back.
• Let’s stand back for a moment — the painting looks even better from here.

3. Stand by

Meaning 1: to support someone in a difficult situation.

• Her husband has always stood by her, even during the hardest times.

Meaning 2: to be ready for action if needed.

• The rescue team was standing by throughout the night.

4. Stand down

Meaning: to resign or leave your position.

• After thirty years in office, the minister decided to stand down.
• Michael is standing down to let a younger colleague take the lead.

5. Stand for

Meaning 1: to represent or be an abbreviation of something. 11 Phrasal Verbs with “Stand”

• What does “UFO” stand for? — Unidentified Flying Object.

Meaning 2: to support an idea, belief, or cause.

• Our organisation stands for equality and fairness.

Meaning 3 (informal, usually negative): to tolerate something.

• I won’t stand for rude behaviour in my classroom. (Great for Cambridge Use of English!)

6. Stand in (for someone)

Meaning: to replace someone temporarily.

• Monica stood in for Mark while he was recovering from surgery.
• Have you found anyone to stand in for you during your exam training week?

7. Stand out

Meaning: to be noticeably different, better, or more impressive than others.

• His confidence really makes him stand out in interviews.
• Housing stands out as the biggest challenge for the city.

8. Stand over

Meaning: to supervise someone closely, often making them feel uncomfortable.

• Please don’t stand over me while I’m cooking — it makes me nervous!
• The technician stood over the trainee to make sure everything was done safely.

9. Stand up

Meaning: to rise to your feet.

• Everyone stood up when the Prime Minister entered the hall.
• We’d been standing up in the queue for over an hour, but we finally got our tickets.

10. Stand up for (someone/something)

Meaning: to defend or support someone or something when it’s criticised. 11 Phrasal Verbs with “Stand”

• She always stands up for her friends.
• You must stand up for your values, even when others disagree.

11. Stand up to

Meaning: to confront someone or something that threatens or intimidates you.

• It took courage, but he finally stood up to his boss.
• Children need to learn how to stand up to bullying.

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