stand by
verbCA, US /ˌsteə̯ndˈbaɪ̯/ · /ˌstændˈbaɪ̯/
1
Idiomatic To wait in expectation of some event; to be ready.
- Please stand by for more instructions.
- It had been his intention to go to Wimbledon, but as he himself said: “Why be blooming well frizzled when you can hear all the results over the wireless.[…]You stand by, Janet, and wake me up if they do any of that running commentary stuff.”1935, George Goodchild, chapter 3, in Death on the Centre Court:
2
Idiomatic To remain loyal or faithful to.
- Even though money is scarce sometimes, Ann stands by her decision to be a full-time mother.
- [W]hen a Hamas spokesman recently stood by his statement that Jews used the blood of non-Jewish children for their matzos – one of the oldest anti-Semitic canards around – European elites were largely silent.2014 August 20, “Why Jews are worried [print version: International New York Times, 22 August 2014, p. 8]”, in The New York Times:
3
Idiomatic To support; to continue to support despite things being bad.
- They stood by us all along and it's awesome to see them out here to support us today.
4
To do nothing. To be inactive in a situation.
- I can't simply stand by and watch you ruin your life.
- Related terms
- bestand