Definition

1. Verb (intransitive):

   • To rise to a standing position from a sitting, kneeling, or lying down position: The primary meaning of "stand up" is to move one's body into an upright, vertical posture supported by one's feet.
   • To remain valid, convincing, or durable: Used figuratively to mean that an idea, argument, or object remains effective or withstands testing.
   • To fail to appear for a social engagement or appointment: An informal meaning indicating that someone did not arrive for a planned meeting, especially a romantic date.

2. Verb (transitive):

   • To set or place something in an upright position: To cause an object to be vertical.
   • To defend or support someone or something: To speak or act in support of a person, cause, or principle, especially against opposition.

Usage and Examples

• Intransitive Verb (Rise): "Please stand up when the judge enters the courtroom." "The entire audience stood up and cheered at the end of the performance."

• Intransitive Verb (Remain valid/Withstand): "His alibi does not stand up under close examination." "This cheap furniture won't stand up to daily use by children."

• Intransitive Verb (Fail to appear): "She was very upset after he stood her up on their first date." "I waited for an hour, but my client stood me up."

• Transitive Verb (Place upright): "Can you help me stand up this bookcase?" "He stood the ladder up against the wall."

• Transitive Verb (Defend/Support - requires 'for'): "You must learn to stand up for yourself." "It's important to stand up for what you believe in."

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• "Stand up and be counted": To publicly declare one's support or position, especially on a controversial issue. "It's time for decent people to stand up and be counted against this injustice."

• "Stand up to (someone/something)": To confront or resist someone or something powerful in a brave way. "The small nation bravely stood up to the invading army." "This fabric is designed to stand up to harsh weather conditions."

Variants and Related Words

• Stand-up (adjective): Referring to something that is upright or involves standing. Most commonly refers to a type of comedy performed by a comedian standing alone on stage addressing the audience directly. "He is a stand-up comedian." "The patient is now able to tolerate stand-up meetings."

• Standing (noun/adjective): The act of being in an upright position; status or reputation.

• Upstanding (adjective): Honest and respectable.

Synonyms

• Rise/Get up: To move to a standing position.
• Endure/Withstand: To remain intact or valid under pressure.
• Defend/Champion: To support actively.
• Jilt/Leave in the lurch: To fail to meet someone (informal).

Phrasal Verbs and Constructions

• Stand up for: To defend or support. "She always stands up for the underdog."

• Stand up to: To resist or confront boldly. "You need to stand up to the bully."

• Stand someone up: To fail to meet someone for a date or appointment. "He was embarrassed after standing his friend up."

Related Idioms

• "Stand up and be counted": To make one's opinions or support publicly known.
• "Couldn't stand up to a stiff breeze": A humorous way to say something or someone is very weak or fragile.
• "Stand up on one's own two feet": To be independent and self-sufficient. (Note: This idiom uses "stand" and "on one's own two feet" but not the phrasal verb "stand up" as a single unit).

Verb

1. rise up as in fear
   • The dog's fur bristled
   • It was a sight to make one's hair uprise!
2. resist or withstand wear, criticism, etc.
   • Her shoes won't hold up
   • This theory won't hold water
3. defend against attack or criticism
   • He stood up for his friend
   • She stuck up for the teacher who was accused of harassing the student
4. be standing; be upright
   • We had to stand for the entire performance!
5. put into an upright position
   • Can you stand the bookshelf up?
6. refuse to back down; remain solid under criticism or attack
7. rise to one's feet
   • The audience got up and applauded