Akademik

stand by
verb
1. not act or do anything (Freq. 4)
-

He just stood by when the police beat up the demonstrators

• Hypernyms: ↑refrain, ↑forbear
• Verb Frames:
-

Something ——s

-

Somebody ——s

2. be available or ready for a certain function or service (Freq. 2)
• Syn: ↑stick around, ↑stick about
• Derivationally related forms: ↑standby
• Hypernyms: ↑wait
• Verb Frames:
-

Somebody ——s

-

They stand by a long time

3. be loyal to
-

She stood by her husband in times of trouble

-

The friends stuck together through the war

• Syn: ↑stick by, ↑stick, ↑adhere
• Hypernyms: ↑be
• Verb Frames:
-

Somebody ——s something

-

Somebody ——s somebody

-

Somebody ——s something PP

 (for: ↑stick)

* * *

1) be present while something bad is happening but fail to take any action to stop it

he was beaten to the ground as onlookers stood by

2) support or remain loyal to (someone), typically in a time of need

she had stood by him during his years in prison

■ adhere to or abide by (something promised, stated, or decided)

the government must stand by its pledges

3) be ready to deal or assist with something

two battalions were on their way, and a third was standing by

* * *

stand by [phrasal verb]
1 : to stand or be present without taking any action while something is happening

A group of students stood by and watched the boys fight.

How can you stand by and do nothing?

2 : to be ready or available for use

An ambulance was standing by in case anyone got seriously injured.

Operators are standing by (to take your calls).

— see also ↑standby
3 stand by (something)
3 a : to support or defend (something)

He said that he was standing by what he said earlier.

I stand by my actions and have no regrets.

3 b : to act in the way that is required by (something, such as belief or promise)

She stood by her promise.

4 stand by (someone) : to remain loyal to (someone) : to continue to support (someone)

They promised to stand by each other until the end.

She stood by her husband throughout the trial.

• • •
Main Entry: ↑stand

* * *

ˌstand ˈby derived
1. to be present while sth bad is happening but not do anything to stop it

•

How can you stand by and see him accused of something he didn't do?

related noun ↑bystander
2. to be ready for action

•

The troops are standing by.

related noun ↑standby
Main entry: ↑standderived

Useful english dictionary. 2012.