stand around
A2 informal inseparable intransitive
In simple words
To just stay somewhere and not do anything.
Literal meaning: To stand in the area around a place — mostly transparent.
Meanings
1 A2 informal
To remain in a place doing nothing in particular; to be idle.
"Stop standing around and help me carry these boxes inside!"
Grammar: inseparable
2 A2 neutral
To gather or wait in a group in a place, without a clear purpose.
"A group of teenagers were standing around outside the cinema, trying to decide what to do."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Frequently used with a slightly impatient or critical tone, implying that the people involved should be doing something more useful. Common in everyday spoken English.
Commonly used with
waiting doing nothing watching idly all day outside
Forms
Base
stand around
I/you/we/they
3rd person
stands around
he/she/it
Past simple
stood around
yesterday
Past participle
stood around
have + pp
-ing form
standing around
continuous
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Synonyms
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