stick up for

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

Meaning · English

To speak or act in defence (of); to defend or protect.

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

You really need to stick up for yourself against that bully.

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).

Common questions

What does “stick up for” mean?

To speak or act in defence (of); to defend or protect.

Is “stick up for” formal or informal?

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