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stand up

A2 neutral separable both
In simple words

To get on your feet, to not break under pressure, or to not show up when someone is expecting you.

Literal meaning: To rise from a seated or lying position to stand upright.

Meanings

1 A2 neutral

To move from a sitting or lying position to an upright standing position.

"Everyone stood up when the judge entered the courtroom."

"Stand up for Alabama!"

— Common chant at Alabama college football games, widely documented
Grammar: inseparable
2 B1 idiomatic neutral

To remain valid, convincing, or unbroken when examined closely or put under pressure.

"His alibi didn't stand up when the police checked the security footage."

Grammar: inseparable
3 B1 idiomatic informal

(Informal) To fail to meet someone for a planned date or appointment without telling them.

"He stood her up on their first date and never even sent a message to explain."

Grammar: separable
4 A2 neutral

To physically place something in an upright position.

"Stand the ladder up against the wall before you climb it."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

The 'fail to meet' sense (e.g., 'He stood me up') is informal and very common in social contexts. 'Stand-up comedy' (noun) is a related derivative. 'Stand up' is also used as an adjective to mean honest and reliable ('a stand-up guy').

Commonly used with

date meeting evidence scrutiny comedian ovation

Forms

Base
stand up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
stands up
he/she/it
Past simple
stood up
yesterday
Past participle
stood up
have + pp
-ing form
standing up
continuous

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Synonyms

rise get to your feet hold up withstand ghost bail on

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