Phrasal verb
stand by
Meanings
to wait and be ready to act when needed
to support someone or stay loyal to them, especially in a difficult situation
to keep or maintain a decision, statement, or promise and not change it
Definition
To stand by means to wait and be ready to act, or to support someone or something.
To stand by often means to wait, staying ready to do something when needed. It can also mean to support someone, especially during a difficult time, or to keep a decision or statement and not change it. The meaning is usually clear from the context.
Examples
- Please stand by while I restart the computer.
- I will stand by you if the meeting gets tense.
- He stood by his original answer even after the follow-up questions.
- They stood by near the door, ready to help carry the boxes.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes say "stand near" when they mean "stand by" in the sense of waiting and being ready to act.
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.