To confront someone who has power or authority over you without backing down, or to remain undamaged under difficult conditions.
To be brave and face a powerful or scary person directly, or to stay strong under pressure.
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
To bravely confront or resist someone who has power or who is threatening or intimidating.
"It takes courage to stand up to a bully, but it is always the right thing to do."
You've got to stand up to what you know is wrong.
— Malala Yousafzai, I Am Malala (2013)
To remain undamaged, valid, or effective under difficult conditions or close examination.
"This old hiking jacket has stood up to years of rough weather without falling apart."
Very common in everyday and political English. The object is typically a person or group in authority (a bully, a dictator, a boss). Also used for non-human subjects to describe durability or resilience.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Listen to native speakers using "stand up to" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.