| Phrasal verb | Main meaning |
|---|---|
stand up [stænd ʌp] | to rise to a standing position |
Other meanings
- to not attend a meeting or date (slang, informal)
- to defend or support (usually with “for” or “to” — e.g. stand up for someone)
- to be strong or resistant to damage or criticism (stand up to pressure)
Example Sentences Using the Phrasal Verb "stand up"
- Please stand up when the teacher enters the room.
You should rise to your feet. - I waited for an hour, but she stood me up.
She didn’t come to our date. - You have to stand up for your beliefs.
You must defend your values. - This material stands up to heat really well.
It resists damage from heat.
Features of Using "stand up"
- One of the few phrasal verbs that changes meaning significantly with prepositions:
stand up, stand up for, stand up to — all have different nuances. - The expression “stand someone up” is very informal and used in dating contexts.
- The physical meaning (“get to your feet”) is the most neutral and widely used.
Other phrasal verbs with the verb stand
stand out
to be noticeable or easily seen or recognized because of being different or better
🔗 Learn more about the irregular verb stand, including its forms and usage.