to stand for
215
2.8
- phrasal verb
- /stænd fɔr/
:
defender
- As a teacher, I stand for the right to a quality education for all my students.
- stand for ideals
- know what you stand for
- stand for a secular society
It, it was just we are standing for liberal values.
- It, it was just we are standing for liberal values.
- I hate you and everything that you stand for and you have one eyebrow.
- Again, the movement stands for nothing, stands for absolutely nothing.
- Doesn't mean it's not worth standing for, Certainly means it's worth fighting for.
- I already shared what I feel is the number one thing I stand for, and that is unity.
- And the truth is that who I was and what I stand for was not widely known.
- That's what Donald Trump is standing for right now, and we can't forget that.
- So I'm standing here to say that I stand for cats.
- This is what you stand for, you know, So Donald stands for the the absolute wealth.
- We basically I, you, everybody stands for that and they appreciate that.
- Yes, every man stands for Cool Ranch.
Examples
-
In times of crisis, it's important that we stand for justice and equality.
-
What values do I want my actions to stand for and be in alignment with?
-
You know that you stand for free speech.
-
If we value it, we must stand for it and fight for it.
-
You have to stand for something.
-
We stand for something, man.
-
What, exactly, do we stand for in the West?
Academic text (2015) -
We want the world to know that our nation stands for more than financial prosperity.
Academic text (1996) -
You need to know what you stand for to know what you're fighting for.
-
I stand for the new order of things, modern and up-to-date.
Synonyms
835
2.7
Speak or act officially for someone, for example a lawyer
343
3.7
To support a cause or policy in public
256
2.7
Defend or support someone who is treated unfairly
84
2.9
Support a person, group, or cause during hard times
69
3.9
Publicly support a cause, policy, or idea
52
7.8
To accept and support a belief, cause, or way of life
23
4.6
Publicly say you strongly agree or disagree with something
8
7.0
To act for someone in public or show support for them
3
6.3
To publicly show support, often when doing so is risky
1
3.9
Support and defend other people who share a cause
1
3.9
To support the rights of a group or person, often in law
Antonyms
How Supportive
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'to be a candidate' is not directly derivable from 'stand' (hold or defend a position) + 'for' (in support of); a learner who knows the parts would more likely infer 'support' or 'represent' rather than 'run as a candidate.' There is a partial conceptual link (standing implies taking a position or office) and it is a conventional British political usage, so the connection is suggestive but not fully predictable without exposure.
Etymology
Stand for can be seen as someone who stands beside an idea or on a platform to show support. That's why it means 'to support' or 'to speak for' a cause.