English Reference
Idiom idiom

stand to reason


To seem logical, rational, or reasonable; to make sense.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

“It stands to reason that you should study before the exam.”

CONTEXTUAL

“If you do not sleep well, it stands to reason that you will feel tired at work tomorrow.”

COMPLEX

“Given the current economic instability, it stands to reason that investors would choose to move their capital into more secure and reliable assets.”


From *stand* + *to* + *reason*. The construction relies upon an archaic sense of *stand*, meaning to be consistent with or to accord. It identifies a proposition that agrees with logic as one that stands to it.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    13th reason why

    Alternative form of thirteenth reason why.

  2. 02

    blow this pop stand

    To exit or remove oneself from a less than exciting location or environment.

  3. 03

    blow this Popsicle stand

    To leave a place, often with anger or anticipation of going somewhere more exciting.

  4. 04

    can't stand

    cannot put up with

  5. 05

    can't stand the sight of

    To hate vehemently; to really despise.

  6. 06

    half-night stand

    A single sexual encounter between two individuals, lasting for less than an entire night, where at least one of the partners has no immediate intention or expectation of establishing a longer-term sexual or romantic relationship.

  7. 07

    not have a leg to stand on

    To lack support, as in an argument, debate, or negotiation.

  8. 08

    one-night stand

    A single sexual encounter between two individuals, where at least one of the partners has no immediate intention or expectation of establishing a longer-term sexual or romantic relationship.

Last updated August 10, 2026