to stay on
111
3.4
- phrasal verb
- /steɪ ɑn/
:
quedarse
- Despite the rain, we decided to stay on at the picnic until dark.
- want to stay on
- stay on longer
- stay on the path
No, if it's working, then we should be staying on that same path.
- No, if it's working, then we should be staying on that same path.
- With employment rates going up, people are not staying on food stamps as incomes rise.
- Like it stays on my clothes, but not my skin at all.
- I feel like this contour stays on my skin all day.
- How do you stay on your own path?
- Stay on your message, stay on offense.
Examples
-
I'm here, I'll stay on and help you if you want me to.
Fiction book (1994) -
Your call is important to us, so please stay on the line.
-
And you can actually just stay on at one level.
-
No, if it's working, then we should be staying on that same path.
-
We just need to stay on this road.
-
Tell him to stay on the line.
-
So, did you stay on at school after you were twelve, then?
-
I asked, how much longer to stay on I-90?
-
You're supposed to stay on your side.
-
After the battle, she had stayed on to help Margery with her work.
Fiction book (1993)
Synonyms
∞
1.0
To remain in one place and not leave
∞
1.0
To stay in the same place or state and not change
586
1.0
To stay in the same job or role
332
2.9
Stay in a place to wait for something
207
3.7
To stay in a place longer than expected because you do not want to leave
133
2.0
Remain in the same place without moving
18
5.2
To stay in a place for a long time
10
1.5
Not move from a place
Stay nearby or wait in a place for a short time
Antonyms
How Long
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'to continue to remain' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'stay' (to remain) with 'on' (indicating continuation or persistence). The particle 'on' simply adds a continued-duration sense to 'stay', a common and compositional pattern that a B1 learner who knows both words can readily infer.
Etymology
The phrasal verb stay on comes from the simple picture of a person who does not leave and stays on a place or stage after others go, like an actor who remains on stage alone. So, stay on now means 'to continue to remain in a place, position, or situation', for example staying on a job after the usual time.