stand by
phrasal verb·3 senses·particle by
Meanings
Wait, ready to act if needed
Why “by”? Something stays near another thing.
“Paramedics stood by during the match.”
“A repair team stood by during the launch.”
“Stand by for further instructions.”
Stay loyal to what you said or promised
Why “by”? BY shows the thing that guides you: a rule, promise, name, or belief.
“I stand by what I said.”
“Maya stands by her promise.”
Watch without intervening
“She stood by while a customer was treated unfairly.”
“The guard stood by while the argument grew.”
Don't confuse with
Stand by means wait, ready to act if needed. Stand behind means be the unseen reason or motivator for something.
Test yourself
“Paramedics stood by during the match.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
stand behind
A contrast learners often mix up
Be the unseen reason or motivator for something; Continue to support someone in difficulty
abide by
Same by pattern: guide
Accept and follow a rule or decision
come by
Same by pattern: beside
Pay a brief visit to someone; Get or find something, often when it is difficult
drop by
Same by pattern: beside
Make a brief, casual visit
go by
Same by pattern: guide
Of time, pass or elapse; Use a rule, name, or evidence as your guide; Use a particular name
live by
Same by pattern: guide
Live according to a rule or principle
sit by
Same by pattern: beside
Take a seat close beside someone
stay by
Same by pattern: beside
Continue to support or remain near someone
Sink In — iOS & Android
Practice “stand by” in Sink In
Drill “stand by” and 1,300+ other phrasal verbs with spaced repetition, organised by the particle patterns that connect them.
- Learn the pattern behind dozens of verbs at once — not one-off translations.
- Spaced repetition (SM-2) brings each meaning back right before you forget.
- Four practice modes train recall and discrimination, not just recognition.
