# stand on the shoulders of giants

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/stand-on-the-shoulders-of-giants
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To build on the achievements of others before one.

## Examples

- We stand on the shoulders of giants to learn new things.
- Scientists often stand on the shoulders of giants by using research from the past to make new discoveries.
- By acknowledging that we stand on the shoulders of giants, we honor the brilliant thinkers who paved the way for our modern understanding of the world.

## Origin

Extracted from dwarf standing on the shoulders of giants. Often attributed to Isaac Newton (see quotations), but in other forms already in use earlier.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.