stand up to
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
To object to or interfere with the actions of (someone seen as bullying, pushy, or controlling).
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
If anyone stood up to him, I bet he'd back down.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
To withstand, to weather, to survive in spite of.
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “stand up to” mean?
To object to or interfere with the actions of (someone seen as bullying, pushy, or controlling).
Is “stand up to” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.