1 B1 neutral
To protrude or point upward.
"His hair was sticking up in all directions when he woke up."
inseparable
stick up
B1 informal separable transitive/intransitive
To protrude upward, to fasten something to a surface, or to rob someone at gunpoint.
In plain English
Something pointing up, putting something on a wall, or stealing from someone with a weapon.
What does "stick up" mean?
4 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 informal
To fasten or attach something to a wall or surface.
"She stuck up a list of rules on the classroom door."
separable
3 B2 idiomatic informal
To rob someone at gunpoint or by threatening them with a weapon.
"Two masked men stuck up the convenience store and fled with the cash."
separable
4 B1 idiomatic informal
Used in the command 'stick 'em up' / 'stick your hands up' meaning raise your hands (as a surrender command).
"The officer shouted 'Stick your hands up!' as she approached the suspect."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To cause something to go or remain in an upward position.
Actually means
Something pointing up, putting something on a wall, or stealing from someone with a weapon.
Usage tip
The robbery sense is informal and somewhat dated, more common in American English. The 'protrude' sense is intransitive. The 'fasten to a surface' sense is transitive and separable.
Words that pair with "stick up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
poster notice sign hands hair gun
How to conjugate "stick up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
stick up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
sticks up
he/she/it
Past simple
stuck up
yesterday
Past participle
stuck up
have + pp
-ing form
sticking up
continuous
Hear "stick up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "stick up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.