stand by
[verb]
Synonyms:
- be prepared, wait
- support, back, be loyal to, champion, take (someone's) part

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

stand by phrasal verb (see also stand)

1. to not do anything to help someone or prevent something from happening ⇒ bystander:
I’m not going to stand by and see her hurt.

2. stand by something to keep a promise, agreement etc, or to say that something is still true:
I stand by what I said earlier.
He stood by his convictions.

3. stand by somebody to stay loyal to someone and support them, especially in a difficult situation:
His wife stood by him during his years in prison.

4. to be ready to do something if necessary ⇒ standby:
Rescue crews were standing by in case of a breakdown.
stand by for
Stand by for our Christmas competition.
stand by to do something
Police stood by to arrest any violent fans.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

stand by
stand by (someone/something)
to support someone or something.
I think people admire the fact that she stands by her husband.

At a news conference, he stood by his criticism of the government.

1.
to let something happen or to be unable to do anything to stop something from happening.
It was such a terrible fire that the firefighters had to stand by and let the fire burn itself out.

2.
to be ready to be used if necessary.
During the fireworks display, the fire department trucks stood by, in case something went up in flames.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

stand by something
stand by (someone/something)
to support someone or something.
I think people admire the fact that she stands by her husband.

At a news conference, he stood by his criticism of the government.

1.
to let something happen or to be unable to do anything to stop something from happening.
It was such a terrible fire that the firefighters had to stand by and let the fire burn itself out.

2.
to be ready to be used if necessary.
During the fireworks display, the fire department trucks stood by, in case something went up in flames.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

stand by
1. • stand by
to be near, to be waiting to do something when you are needed
There is a doctor standing by in case there is a medical emergency.

2. • stand by (someone)
to follow or keep one's promise to someone, to be loyal to or support someone
The woman always stands by her husband when he has a problem.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

stand by
v.
1. To be close beside or near.
Mary could not tell Jane the secret with her little brother standing by.
Would you just stand by and watch the big boys beat your little brother?
2. To be near, waiting to do something when needed.
The policeman in the patrol car radioed the station about the robbery, and then stood by for orders.
Lee stood by with a fire extinguisher while the trash was burning.
3. To follow or keep (one's promise).
He is a boy who always stands by his promises.
4. To be loyal to; support; help.
When three big boys attacked Bill, Ed stood by him.
Some people blamed Harry when he got into trouble, but Joe stood by him.
Compare: BACK UP, HANG TOGETHER, STAND UP FOR.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲