# stand on the shoulders of

idiom

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

## Meaning

To build on the previous works and gains of.

## Examples

- We stand on the shoulders of those who came before us.
- Modern scientists stand on the shoulders of earlier researchers to make new discoveries.
- By acknowledging that we stand on the shoulders of our predecessors, we gain a deeper appreciation for the long history of human progress.

## Origin

Clipping of stand on the shoulders of giants.

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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.