Phrase guide

stand up to

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To object to or interfere with the actions of (someone seen as bullying, pushy, or controlling).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • If anyone stood up to him, I bet he'd back down.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To withstand, to weather, to survive in spite of.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • The paint looks good, but I don't know if it will stand up to years of weather.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

30 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Cantonese: 面對 /面对 (min6 deoi3) — object or interfere
  • Hakka Chinese: 面對 /面对 (mien-tui) — object or interfere
  • Chinese: 面對 /面对 (zh-min-nan) — object or interfere
  • Chinese Mandarin: 面對 /面对 (miànduì) — object or interfere
  • Finnish: nousta vastaan — object or interfere
  • Finnish: vastustaa — object or interfere
  • French: tenir tête — object or interfere
  • German: Widerstand leisten — object or interfere
  • German: sich entgegenstellen — object or interfere
  • Italian: tenere testa — object or interfere
  • Polish: stawiać czoła — object or interfere
  • Polish: stawić czoła — object or interfere
  • Russian: противостоя́ть (protivostojátʹ) — object or interfere
  • Scottish Gaelic: cum ri — object or interfere
  • Swedish: stå emot — object or interfere
  • Turkish: kafa tutmak — object or interfere
  • Chinese Cantonese: 經得起 /经得起 (ging1 dak1 hei2) — withstand
  • Chinese Mandarin: 經得起 /经得起 (jīngdeqǐ) — withstand
  • Finnish: kestää — withstand
  • French: tenir — withstand
  • French: supporter — withstand
  • German: standhalten — withstand
  • German: gewachsen sein — withstand
  • Russian: выде́рживать (vydérživatʹ) — withstand
  • Russian: выносить (vynositʹ) — withstand
  • Scottish Gaelic: cum ri — withstand
  • Swedish: tåla — withstand
  • Swedish: stå emot — withstand
  • Swedish: stå pall för — withstand
  • Swedish: hålla för — withstand