stood up to

USAGE SUMMARY

"stood up to" is grammatically and stylistically correct and can be used in written English.
Example: After several weeks of bullying, the young girl finally stood up to her tormentors.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

She stood up to leave.

The New Yorker

We stood up to him".

The Guardian

He stood up to look.

The New Yorker

"And Pace stood up to them.

The New Yorker

Biden stood up to everything extremely well.

The New Yorker

I stood up to the pressure.

The New York Times - Sports

Nothing stood up to the picture.

Independent

We stood up to greet them.

The New Yorker

We stood up to be counted.

The Guardian

Romney's never stood up to China.

The New York Times

Some stood up to do it.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stood up to" to convey resistance or defiance against something or someone powerful. This phrase is best suited when highlighting courage and opposition.

Common error

Avoid using "stood up to" in highly formal or academic writing where more precise or sophisticated vocabulary might be preferred. Consider alternatives like "challenged", "resisted", or "opposed" for such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stood up to" functions as a phrasal verb, acting as the predicate of a sentence. It indicates the action of resisting or opposing someone or something, often implying courage or defiance. As Ludwig examples show, it's commonly used in news and media to describe people challenging authority.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Stood up to" is a common phrasal verb used to describe the act of resisting or challenging someone or something, especially an authority or powerful entity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide acceptance. It's frequently found in news and media contexts, signifying acts of defiance and courage. While versatile, avoid it in hyper-formal academic writing in favor of stronger alternatives like "resisted" or "opposed". Related phrases include "defied", "confronted", and "took a stand against", each offering nuanced ways to express resistance. Mastering its usage enables writers to effectively convey the spirit of opposition and challenge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

took a stand against

Rephrasing that adds emphasis on making a clear and public declaration of opposition.

stood firm in the face of

Rephrasing that conveys resilience and unwavering resolve when confronting adversity.

defied

Single word replacement, conveys resisting or opposing authority.

held one's ground against

Rephrasing that emphasizes maintaining a position despite pressure or opposition.

confronted

Single word replacement, focuses on facing someone or something directly, often in a challenging way.

resisted

Single word replacement, emphasizes opposing or preventing something from happening.

refused to yield to

Rephrasing that stresses the act of not giving in to pressure or demands.

opposed

Single word replacement, indicates disagreement or disapproval, often leading to action against something.

challenged

Single word replacement, suggests questioning or disputing something, often requiring proof or justification.

bravely faced

Rephrasing that highlights the courage involved in confronting something difficult or dangerous.

FAQs

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

The phrase "stood up to" is used to indicate that someone has resisted or challenged a powerful person or entity. For example, "She "stood up to" the bully and defended her friend."

What are some alternatives to "stood up to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "defied", "confronted", or "challenged". These alternatives offer slightly different nuances of resistance and opposition.

Is it appropriate to use "stood up to" in formal writing?

While "stood up to" is widely understood, it may be perceived as less formal. In formal writing, consider using stronger verbs like "resisted" or "opposed" to maintain a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "stood up to" and "supported"?

"Stood up to" implies opposition or resistance, while "supported" indicates agreement or endorsement. They are antonyms; one involves challenging, and the other involves aiding or advocating.