English · Phrasal verb Attested 18+

stay up

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Sense 1

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see stay, up.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

không dùng theo nghĩa đen hoặc thành ngữ: xem stay, up

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Where it’s used: Used American English

These trousers are too big around the waist. They won't stay up.

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).

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

To remain awake; to not go to bed.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

giữ mình thức; không đi ngủ

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

To maintain an erection.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

để duy trì sự cương cứng

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

What does “stay up” mean?

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see stay, up.

Is “stay up” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.