# stick to sth

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/stick-to-sth
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to continue doing something as planned and not change to something else.

For teachers: to adhere to a predetermined plan, rule, or agreement without deviation; implies persistence despite difficulty or temptation to change.

## Examples

- You should stick to your diet if you want results.
- Even though the project became difficult, the team decided to stick to the original schedule.
- The witness was advised to stick to the facts rather than offering personal opinions during the cross-examination.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He sticks to his promises always." but "He always sticks to his promises." — the verb 'stick' must be conjugated correctly for the subject and tense, and the preposition 'to' must follow it immediately before the object.

## Usage notes

- the object is usually a plan, a rule, a promise, or a specific subject.
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'keep to' (very similar) and 'follow'; 'stick to' often implies a choice to stay loyal to a path when it would be easy to quit.

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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.