stand by
phrasal verbstand by
- to be present while something bad is happening but not do anything to stop it
- How can you stand by and see him accused of something he didn't do?
- Surely the world cannot stand idly by and let this country go through the agony of war yet again?
- to be ready for action
- The troops are standing by.
stand by somebody
- to help somebody or be friends with them, even in difficult situations
- her famous song, ‘Stand by your man’
stand by something
- to still believe or agree with something you said, decided or agreed earlier
- She still stands by every word she said.