# stand to reason

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/stand-to-reason
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

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

## Examples

- It stands to reason that you should study before the exam.
- If you do not sleep well, it stands to reason that you will feel tired at work tomorrow.
- Given the current economic instability, it stands to reason that investors would choose to move their capital into more secure and reliable assets.

## Origin

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.

---

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.