# stand by

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/stand-by
Updated: 2026-10-23

## Definition

to stay loyal to someone or support them, especially when they are in a difficult situation. You can also use this to mean you are ready and waiting to take action if needed.

For teachers: to remain loyal to a person or principle, particularly during adversity; alternatively, to remain in a state of readiness for immediate action. The loyalty sense is transitive, while the readiness sense is typically intransitive.

## Examples

- I will stand by you no matter what happens.
- Despite the scandal, the senator's wife decided to stand by him and support his re-election campaign.
- The rescue teams were instructed to stand by at the edge of the disaster zone until the storm subsided and it was safe to enter.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He stood by his promise to helping me." but "He stood by his promise to help me." — the phrase 'stand by' is followed by a noun or a standard infinitive clause, not a gerund.

## Usage notes

- when meaning 'to support', it requires an object; when meaning 'to wait', it is used alone.
- Teaching tip: contrast the loyalty sense with 'stick by' (more informal) and the readiness sense with 'wait' (less active); note that 'standby' as a single word is a noun or adjective.

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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.