1 A2 neutral
To remain in a place after everyone else has left
"The teacher asked three students to stay behind after the lesson."
stay behind
A2 neutral intransitive
To remain in a place after others have left; to not go with others
In plain English
To stay in a place when other people leave
What does "stay behind" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 A2 neutral
To choose not to go with a group, remaining in the original location
"Most of the team went to the conference, but he decided to stay behind and watch the office."
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To stay (remain) behind when others move forward or leave
Actually means
To stay in a place when other people leave
Usage tip
Very common in everyday English. Often used in school contexts (asked to stay behind after class), workplace settings, and social situations. Implies a contrast with a group of people who have departed.
Words that pair with "stay behind"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
class school meeting office party after
How to conjugate "stay behind"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
stay behind
I/you/we/they
3rd person
stays behind
he/she/it
Past simple
stayed behind
yesterday
Past participle
stayed behind
have + pp
-ing form
staying behind
continuous
Hear "stay behind" in the wild
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Other ways to say "stay behind"
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