standing up to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "standing up to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a phrasal verb that means to resist or confront a challenge or difficult situation. Example: The students admired their teacher for always standing up to the school administration and advocating for their rights. Another example: She showed great bravery by standing up to her bullies and refusing to let them intimidate her.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Standing up to the strong.

The Guardian

And for standing up to Portas.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Baxter is standing up to Evil Thomas!

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Basically, I've been standing up to myself.

The New York Times

What would standing up to Sudan entail?

The New York Times

Instead of standing up to threats they have capitulated.

Independent

Standing up to this kind of sickness is important, too.

The New Yorker

"You're late," she said, standing up to receive us.

The New Yorker

This was seen as standing up to terrorism.

The New York Times

Borukhova was sometimes very good at standing up to him.

The New Yorker

Standing up to Chinese pressure goes down well in Japan.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "standing up to" when you want to emphasize resistance against a specific force or challenge. It implies a direct confrontation or defense.

Common error

Avoid using "standing up to" with abstract nouns that don't represent a direct opposing force. For example, instead of saying "standing up to happiness", consider using a more appropriate phrase like "embracing happiness" or "pursuing happiness".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "standing up to" is that of a phrasal verb acting as a predicate within a sentence. It describes the action of resisting or confronting an opposing force or challenge, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "standing up to" is a commonly used phrasal verb that signifies resisting or confronting a challenge. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability across various contexts, primarily in news and media. While versatile, it's best used to describe direct confrontation, avoiding overuse with abstract concepts. Alternatives like "resisting" or "challenging" can offer nuanced expressions depending on the specific scenario. The phrase maintains a generally neutral register, fitting for diverse audiences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

resisting

This alternative highlights the act of withstanding or fighting against something.

confronting

This alternative replaces the phrasal verb with a single verb, focusing on the act of facing a challenge directly.

taking a stand against

This phrase is more emphatic, highlighting a deliberate and public act of opposition.

challenging

This alternative emphasizes the act of questioning or disputing something, implying resistance.

combating

This alternative suggests actively fighting against something, often a problem or injustice.

opposing

This focuses on the act of resisting or preventing something from happening.

withstanding

This focuses on enduring or resisting the effects of something harmful or challenging.

defying

This suggests a bold or open refusal to obey or conform to something.

countering

This suggests taking action to neutralize or offset the effects of something.

bucking

Informal, implies resisting something established or traditional.

FAQs

How can I use "standing up to" in a sentence?

You can use "standing up to" to describe resisting or confronting a challenge. For example, "She is known for standing up to injustice".

What is a good alternative to "standing up to"?

Alternatives include "resisting", "challenging", or "confronting", depending on the context.

Is "standing up to" formal or informal?

"Standing up to" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal options like "opposing" may be preferred in certain situations.

What's the difference between "standing up to" and "giving in to"?

"Standing up to" implies resistance and confrontation, while "giving in to" suggests succumbing or yielding to pressure or a challenge.