stick up
phrasal verb·2 senses·particle up
Meanings
Defend or support someone when others criticize them
Why “up”? Someone does not accept pressure, unfair treatment, or authority. They speak or act against it.
“Thanks for sticking up for me.”
“Lena stuck up for a new student when others laughed at him.”
Rob a place using a weapon, often a gun
Why “up”? A person is threatened, attacked, or forced by violence.
“They stuck up the bank.”
“The robbers stuck up a small shop.”
Don't confuse with
Stick up means rob a place with a weapon. Stick out means be very easy to notice.
Test yourself
“Thanks for sticking up for me.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
stick out
A contrast learners often mix up
Be very noticeable
rise up
Same up pattern: resistance
Rebel against authority
rough up
Same up pattern: threat and harm
Attack and hurt someone physically
speak up
Same up pattern: resistance
Talk more loudly so people can hear you; Say what you think openly, especially about a problem
stand up
Same up pattern: resistance
Rise to a standing position; Refuse to accept unfair treatment, pressure, or rules; Defend or support a person, right, or idea
stick around
Same base verb: stick
Stay in a place a little longer
stick down
Same base verb: stick
Attach something to a surface with glue or tape
stick in
Same base verb: stick
Push something firmly into a place
Sink In — iOS & Android
Practice “stick up” in Sink In
Drill “stick up” 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.
