1 A2 neutral
To physically position oneself in the space separating two people or things.
"She stood between her two arguing brothers, trying to calm them down."
inseparable
stand between
B2 neutral inseparable transitive
To act as a barrier or obstacle between a person and something they want or need.
In plain English
To block or protect someone from getting to something.
What does "stand between" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
To act as an obstacle that prevents someone from achieving or obtaining something.
"His lack of a university degree was the only thing standing between him and his dream job."
inseparable
3 B2 idiomatic neutral
To protect someone from harm or danger by placing oneself in the way.
"The soldier stood between the civilians and the advancing threat."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To physically position oneself in the space between two things or people.
Actually means
To block or protect someone from getting to something.
Usage tip
Can describe either a positive role (protecting someone) or a negative role (preventing someone from achieving something). Context determines the tone.
Words that pair with "stand between"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
danger success goal dream harm person
How to conjugate "stand between"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
stand between
I/you/we/they
3rd person
stands between
he/she/it
Past simple
stood between
yesterday
Past participle
stood between
have + pp
-ing form
standing between
continuous
Hear "stand between" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "stand between" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "stand between"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
divide intervene obstruct protect separate shield
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