A1 Collocation Neutre 2 min de lecture

stand up

يقف

Use `stand up` whenever someone moves from a seat to their feet in any social situation.

En 15 secondes

  • Moving from a sitting or lying position to your feet.
  • A neutral phrase used in both casual and formal settings.
  • Can be a polite request or a simple physical description.

Signification

This phrase describes the physical action of moving from a sitting or lying position to a vertical one on your feet.

Exemples clés

3 sur 6
1

In a classroom setting

Please stand up when the guest enters the room.

Please stand up when the guest enters the room.

👔
2

Watching a movie with a friend

I need to stand up and stretch my legs for a minute.

I need to stand up and stretch my legs for a minute.

😊
3

At a doctor's appointment

Can you stand up so I can check your height?

Can you stand up so I can check your height?

💼
🌍

Contexte culturel

In English-speaking cultures, standing up is a universal sign of respect during national anthems or when a bride enters a wedding. The phrase also evolved into the noun 'stand-up,' referring to a style of solo comedy that became a global cultural phenomenon starting in the mid-20th century.

💡

Softening the command

If you want to be extra polite, add 'please' or 'would you mind' before saying 'stand up' so it doesn't sound like an order.

⚠️

The 'Stand up' Trap

Don't confuse 'stand up' with 'stand'. 'Stand' is a state (being on your feet), while 'stand up' is the movement itself.

En 15 secondes

  • Moving from a sitting or lying position to your feet.
  • A neutral phrase used in both casual and formal settings.
  • Can be a polite request or a simple physical description.

What It Means

Stand up is a simple action. It means moving your body onto your feet. You do this when you get out of a chair. You do this when you leave a bed. It is one of the first things you learn in English. It is basic but very important.

How To Use It

Use it as a command or a description. You can say I stand up when the bus arrives. You can tell a child to stand up for a photo. It is a phrasal verb. This means stand is the action and up is the direction. It is very easy to remember. Just think of moving toward the sky!

When To Use It

Use it in the classroom when the teacher enters. Use it at a concert when your favorite song starts. Use it at a restaurant when you are ready to leave. If you are at a wedding, the priest might say it. It is perfect for any time you stop sitting. Even if you are just stretching your legs, it works.

When NOT To Use It

Do not use it for buildings or objects. A house does not stand up; it just stands. Do not use it if someone is already on their feet. That would be confusing! Also, be careful with the tone. Saying Stand up! loudly can sound like a strict boss or a mean teacher. Use a soft voice with friends.

Cultural Background

In many Western cultures, people stand up to show respect. You might stand up when a judge enters a room. You might stand up when an older person needs a seat. It shows you are polite and attentive. In the UK and US, 'standing up' for your rights is also a common idiom for being brave.

Common Variations

Sometimes people say stand up straight to mean better posture. In comedy, a stand-up comedian is someone who tells jokes on a stage. If someone doesn't show up for a date, they stood you up. That is a sad version of the phrase! But usually, it is just about physical movement.

Notes d'usage

The phrase is universally understood and safe to use in all contexts. Just remember that 'stand up' is the action, while 'standing' is the result.

💡

Softening the command

If you want to be extra polite, add 'please' or 'would you mind' before saying 'stand up' so it doesn't sound like an order.

⚠️

The 'Stand up' Trap

Don't confuse 'stand up' with 'stand'. 'Stand' is a state (being on your feet), while 'stand up' is the movement itself.

💬

The Comedy Connection

If someone says they are going to a 'stand-up show', they aren't going to watch people stand; they are going to a comedy club!

Exemples

6
#1 In a classroom setting
👔

Please stand up when the guest enters the room.

Please stand up when the guest enters the room.

A polite instruction for students.

#2 Watching a movie with a friend
😊

I need to stand up and stretch my legs for a minute.

I need to stand up and stretch my legs for a minute.

Describing a personal need to move.

#3 At a doctor's appointment
💼

Can you stand up so I can check your height?

Can you stand up so I can check your height?

A standard medical instruction.

#4 Texting a friend about a funny moment
😄

I tried to stand up too fast and almost fell over lol!

I tried to stand up too fast and almost fell over lol!

Sharing a relatable, clumsy moment.

#5 During a standing ovation
💭

The audience began to stand up and cheer.

The audience began to stand up and cheer.

Describing an emotional and supportive crowd.

#6 Giving directions at a park
🤝

If you stand up, you can see the lake from here.

If you stand up, you can see the lake from here.

Giving helpful advice based on physical position.

Teste-toi

Choose the correct phrase to complete the sentence.

The chair is uncomfortable, I want to ___.

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : stand up

If the chair is uncomfortable, you would want to get out of it by standing up.

Which word completes the phrasal verb?

Everyone, please stand ___ for the national anthem.

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : up

The standard phrasal verb for moving to one's feet is 'stand up'.

🎉 Score : /2

Aides visuelles

Formality of 'Stand up'

Casual

Used with friends or family.

Hey, stand up for a sec!

Neutral

Standard everyday use.

I had to stand up to reach the shelf.

Formal

Polite requests in professional settings.

Please stand up for the judge.

Where to use 'Stand up'

stand up
🎸

Concert

Standing up to dance.

💼

Office

Standing up for a meeting.

🏠

Home

Standing up from the sofa.

💪

Gym

Standing up after a stretch.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

It is two words when used as a verb action, like I need to stand up. It is hyphenated as stand-up when used as an adjective, like stand-up comedy.

Usually no. We use it for people or animals. For a fallen bike, you would say pick up or set upright.

The opposite is sit down. Both use the same logic of direction.

It depends on your voice! If you say it loudly, it's a command. If you say Could you stand up, please?, it is very polite.

That is an idiom! It means to defend or support someone who is being treated unfairly, like He stood up for his friend.

You can say Please stand, which is very formal. Stand up is much more common in daily English.

Get up is more general. It can mean waking up or leaving your bed, while stand up specifically refers to the physical motion of the legs.

The past tense is stood up. For example: He stood up when he heard the news.

Yes, especially in 'stand-up meetings' which are short meetings where everyone stays on their feet to keep the talk brief.

This is a dating expression. It means he didn't come to the date and didn't call you to cancel. It's not a nice thing to do!

Expressions liées

rise

A very formal way to say stand up.

get to your feet

An idiom meaning to stand up, often after a fall.

stand-up comedy

A style of comedy where the performer stands on stage.

stand up for

To defend or support a person or an idea.

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