fail to stand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fail to stand" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a lack of ability or willingness to maintain a position or uphold a principle. Example: "In the face of adversity, some may fail to stand by their convictions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Complex models occasionally fail to stand up to basic common sense, and offer little of real value.

The Economist

When Americans focus on immigrants' economic contributions, they fail to stand up to the Trump administration's fundamentally hateful agenda.

The New York Times

The greatest provocation to Mr Putin is to fail to stand up to him, and the least costly time to resist him is now.

The Economist

What's terrifying is how little it seems to matter that so many Chavista propaganda claims fail to stand up to even minimal scrutiny.

The New York Times

But not only do claims about Europe's changing demographics fail to stand up, they betray the sort of moral relativism that they always accuse their opponents of.

The Guardian - Opinion

Investors constantly face the risk that boards will make a bad job of looking after their money and fail to stand up to powerful chief executives, and sometimes boards succumb, but this is less of a danger than it was.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

George Bush failed to stand up for American workers on trade and oil, and his failed policies in Iraq cost us trillions of dollars and thousands of lives.

Huffington Post

Failing to stand out makes him stand out.

The Guardian - Sport

The soil silt content failed to stand out in this analysis and showed a lower performance.

Journal of Hydrology

Britain has failed to stand alongside its closest ally (see article).

The Economist

When Mr. Nachman tries to step back, his analysis often fails to stand up to scrutiny.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fail to stand", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is not being supported or upheld. For example, "The evidence failed to stand up in court" is clearer than simply saying "The evidence failed to stand".

Common error

Avoid using "fail to stand" in contexts where a more direct verb would be appropriate. For example, instead of saying "The building failed to stand after the earthquake", it is better to say "The building collapsed after the earthquake".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fail to stand" primarily functions as a verb phrase, often used to indicate an inability to endure, withstand, or maintain a position, argument, or standard. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fail to stand" is a versatile verb phrase used to express an inability to withstand scrutiny, pressure, or challenge. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it also appears in scientific and formal business communications. It's essential to provide clear context when using the phrase to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "fall short" or "not hold up" can be used to add variety or nuance. Therefore, it is a common and appropriate phrase for expressing a lack of resilience or validity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fall short

Focuses on not meeting a required standard or expectation.

not hold up

Emphasizes the inability of something to remain valid or true under scrutiny.

prove inadequate

Highlights the insufficiency or unsuitability of something for a particular purpose.

be unable to defend

Focuses on the lack of capacity to protect or justify a position or argument.

collapse

Suggests a complete failure or breakdown.

not bear scrutiny

Implies that something cannot withstand careful examination or investigation.

be found wanting

Highlights the lack of necessary qualities or skills.

lose ground

Focuses on the decline in influence, power or support.

be defeated

Stresses the act of being overcome or beaten in a contest or conflict.

succumb

Emphasizes giving way to pressure or temptation.

FAQs

How can I use "fail to stand" in a sentence?

You can use "fail to stand" to describe something that cannot withstand scrutiny, pressure, or challenge. For example, "The argument "failed to stand" up in court because of insufficient evidence."

What are some alternatives to "fail to stand"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "fall short", "not hold up", or "prove inadequate" to express a similar meaning.

Is it better to say "fails to stand" or "failed to stand"?

The correct form depends on the tense you want to convey. Use "fails to stand" for present tense (e.g., "The theory fails to stand the test of time"), and "failed to stand" for past tense (e.g., "The structure failed to stand after the impact").

What's the difference between "fail to stand" and "refuse to stand"?

"Fail to stand" implies an inability or ineffectiveness, while "refuse to stand" suggests a deliberate choice not to support or defend something. For example, "The claim "failed to stand" because it was disproven, while the politician "refused to stand" for the anthem as a form of protest".