stay put
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Verb (intransitive): To remain in one fixed place or position; to not move or leave.
Usage
This phrasal verb is used to give a direct instruction or to describe a state of not moving from a specific location. It often implies a command or strong advice to wait patiently.
Examples
- Instruction/Command: "Stay put while I go get help."
- Instruction/Command: "The doctor told him to stay put in bed for a week."
- Describing a State: "The cat stayed put on the windowsill all afternoon."
- Describing a State: "Despite the chaos, the security guard stayed put at his post."
Advanced Usage
- Imperative Form: Most commonly used in the imperative mood to give a firm, clear order not to move.
- "Everyone, stay put! There's a fire in the hallway."
- After Modal Verbs: Can be used with modal verbs like , , to express necessity or strong recommendation.
- "You should stay put until the storm passes."
Variants and Related Words
- Stay: The base verb, meaning to remain in a place. "Stay put" is a more emphatic and specific form.
- Remain: A more formal synonym for "stay."
- Stick around (phrasal verb, informal): To remain in a place, often with the implication of waiting for something to happen. (e.g., "Stick around, the show is about to start.")
Synonyms
- Remain
- Wait
- Stand fast
- Hold your ground
- Not budge
Antonyms
- Move
- Leave
- Go
- Depart
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Stay behind: To remain after others have left.
- "A few students stayed behind to ask questions."
- Stay in: To remain at home.
- "Let's stay in and watch a movie tonight."
Related Idioms
- Hold the fort: To remain and take care of a place while someone is away. This implies responsibility, not just physical presence.
- "Can you hold the fort while I'm at the meeting?"
- Sit tight: To remain in a place and wait patiently, often for news or instructions. Very similar in meaning to "stay put."
- "Just sit tight, the taxi will be here soon."
Verb
- stay put (in a certain place); we are not moving to Cincinnati"
- We are staying in Detroit
- Stay put in the corner here!
- Stick around and you will learn something!