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stick up

B1 informal separable both
In simple words

Something pointing up, putting something on a wall, or stealing from someone with a weapon.

Literal meaning: To cause something to go or remain in an upward position.

Meanings

1 B1 neutral

To protrude or point upward.

"His hair was sticking up in all directions when he woke up."

Grammar: inseparable
2 B1 informal

To fasten or attach something to a wall or surface.

"She stuck up a list of rules on the classroom door."

Grammar: 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."

Grammar: 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."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

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.

Commonly used with

poster notice sign hands hair gun

Forms

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

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