get stood up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "get stood up" is correct and commonly used in spoken and written English.
It means to be left waiting for someone who does not show up for a planned meeting or date. Example sentence: I was supposed to have lunch with my friend, but I got stood up and ended up eating alone.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Since it is a reality that can't be shaken, there are things that you can do to make sure that, when, not if, you get stood up, it doesn't ruin your day. 1) Location: Whenever possible, take charge of picking the location for any meetings that you have outside of your office.

Forbes

But for a truly soul-crushing evening you could even play it, then go out and get stood up on a date for real.

Vice

And we now have — our governance is beginning to get stood up.

The Washington Post

"The first time our kids don't get a seat at the cool table, or they don't get asked out, or they get stood up — that is such a shame trigger," she says.

The New York Times

Get "Stood Up," from A Fine Frenzy's 2009 release Bomb in a Birdcage (Bonus Track Version).

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

He sometimes gets stood up by bigger defensive ends and linbeackers.

The New York Times

At times, he gets stood up at the line and cannot fight off weaker blockers — witness the 2 12 and 2 57 clips against Mississippi State.

The New York Times

And it might be as mad about this poorly handled Cambridge Analytica debacle as it is about getting stood up the last time around.

TechCrunch

I got stood up by a clown.

Vice

It's almost worse than getting stood up for a date.

Huffington Post

In the meantime, however, Glover is hard at work, getting stood up by Carrie Prejean.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "get stood up", consider the context. It's generally used in informal settings to describe a disappointing situation, especially in dating or casual meetings. In formal settings, it is better to use a more direct expression: "He did not attend the meeting".

Common error

Avoid using "get stood up" in active voice constructions. It's a passive construction, so ensure the subject is the one receiving the action. For example, instead of saying "He got her stood up", say "She got stood up by him" or "He stood her up".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "get stood up" functions as a passive construction, describing the experience of someone being left waiting by another party. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through various examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "get stood up" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the experience of someone not showing up for an appointment or date. Ludwig AI confirms its usage. While predominantly informal, it appears in various contexts, including news and media. For more formal communication, alternatives such as "the person did not attend" are more suitable. Remember to use it in the passive voice, focusing on the person who was left waiting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be stood up

Omits the verb "get", creating a slightly more formal tone.

be no-showed

Transforms "no-show" into a verb, emphasizing the act of not appearing.

have someone not show up

A direct and literal alternative, lacking the idiomatic flavor of the original phrase.

be left waiting

Focuses on the act of waiting without specifying the reason for the other person's absence.

be ditched

Implies a more intentional abandonment, potentially with negative connotations.

be blown off

Informal and suggests a dismissive attitude from the person who didn't show.

be given the slip

Suggests a cunning avoidance or escape, less direct than a simple no-show.

be left in the lurch

Emphasizes the feeling of being abandoned or left in a difficult situation.

be forgotten

Suggests unintentional neglect, implying the other person simply forgot the appointment.

have your date cancel without notice

Specifically implies a romantic context and a lack of communication.

FAQs

What does it mean to "get stood up"?

To "get stood up" means that someone you were supposed to meet didn't show up, especially for a date or appointment. It implies that the other person didn't inform you beforehand that they wouldn't be able to make it.

What can I say instead of "get stood up"?

You can use alternatives like "be left waiting", "be ditched", or "have someone not show up" depending on the context.

Is "get stood up" formal or informal?

"Get stood up" is considered an informal expression. In more formal settings, it's better to say something like "the person did not attend" or "the meeting was missed".

Can I use "get stood up" in professional contexts?

While understandable, "get stood up" is not ideal for professional contexts. Instead, consider using phrases such as "the person was a no-show", or "the meeting did not occur due to the other party's absence".