| 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.
🔗 Learn more about the irregular verb stand, including its forms and usage.