stand around
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Literalmente: To stand in a general area
Use it to describe people waiting idly or failing to be productive in a specific spot.
Em 15 segundos
- Standing in one place without a clear purpose or task.
- Often implies wasting time or being idle while others work.
- Commonly used in casual conversation and workplace complaints.
Significado
It describes standing in one place without doing anything useful. It often implies that you are waiting for something or being lazy while others are busy.
Exemplos-chave
3 de 6At a busy party
I didn't know anyone, so I just stood around the snack table.
I just stood around the snack table.
A frustrated manager at work
We have a deadline, so don't just stand around!
Don't just stand around!
Texting a friend about a concert
We've been standing around for an hour waiting for the band.
We've been standing around for an hour.
Contexto cultural
The phrase reflects a Western cultural obsession with productivity. In many English-speaking workplaces, 'standing around' is the opposite of 'looking busy,' which is often a survival skill. Interestingly, it also defines the 'spectator' culture, where people gather to watch an event without participating.
The 'Doing Nothing' Rule
If you are actively doing something while standing (like cooking), don't use this phrase. It's only for when your hands are empty!
Boss Alert
Never tell your boss you were 'standing around.' It sounds like you were being lazy on purpose. Say you were 'waiting for instructions' instead.
Em 15 segundos
- Standing in one place without a clear purpose or task.
- Often implies wasting time or being idle while others work.
- Commonly used in casual conversation and workplace complaints.
What It Means
Stand around is all about being idle. It means you are physically upright but mentally or productively 'off.' You aren't walking anywhere specific. You aren't working on a task. You are just occupying space. It often carries a slightly negative tone. It suggests you might be wasting time. If your boss sees you doing this, you're in trouble!
How To Use It
Use it like a regular verb. You can say someone is standing around. You can also add a location like standing around the office. It works well when you want to complain. For example, 'Stop standing around and help me!' It’s very common in the continuous form (standing). It paints a picture of a frozen moment in time.
When To Use It
Use it at a party when you don't know anyone. Use it at work when the computers break down. It’s perfect for describing a crowd waiting for a bus. You can use it when you feel awkward. 'I was just standing around waiting for my date.' It’s great for casual storytelling with friends over coffee.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for intentional rest. If you are sitting on a bench, you aren't standing around. Don't use it for military guards. They are 'on duty,' not just standing around. Avoid it in very formal academic writing. In a legal document, use 'lingering' or 'remaining stationary.' It’s too casual for a police report or a medical summary.
Cultural Background
In Western culture, 'time is money.' Because of this, standing around is often seen as a bad thing. In the US or UK, if you stand around at work, people think you are lazy. However, in social settings, it’s the default state. Think of 'water cooler talk' in American offices. People stand around the water cooler to gossip. It’s a classic trope in sitcoms and movies.
Common Variations
Stand about: This is the British version. It means the exact same thing.Stand around doing nothing: This adds extra emphasis to the laziness.Just standing around: The word 'just' makes it sound more innocent or accidental.
Notas de uso
The phrase is neutral but leans informal. It is frequently used in the present continuous ('standing around') to describe an ongoing state of idleness.
The 'Doing Nothing' Rule
If you are actively doing something while standing (like cooking), don't use this phrase. It's only for when your hands are empty!
Boss Alert
Never tell your boss you were 'standing around.' It sounds like you were being lazy on purpose. Say you were 'waiting for instructions' instead.
British Variation
In the UK, you might hear 'stand about.' It’s the exact same meaning, just a different preposition preference!
Exemplos
6I didn't know anyone, so I just stood around the snack table.
I just stood around the snack table.
Describes feeling awkward or out of place.
We have a deadline, so don't just stand around!
Don't just stand around!
Used as a command to start working.
We've been standing around for an hour waiting for the band.
We've been standing around for an hour.
Expresses mild annoyance at waiting.
A crowd of people was just standing around the car.
A crowd was just standing around the car.
Describes people observing but not helping.
My cat likes to stand around the kitchen hoping for treats.
My cat likes to stand around the kitchen.
Anthropomorphizing a pet's behavior.
The guests were left standing around because there weren't enough chairs.
The guests were left standing around.
Slightly more formal but still uses the phrasal verb.
Teste-se
Choose the best word to complete the sentence.
The construction workers were just ___ around because the truck was late.
The context of waiting for a truck while on a job site fits 'standing around' perfectly.
Complete the phrase to express frustration.
Quit standing ___ and help me carry these groceries!
'Standing around' is the specific collocation for being idle.
🎉 Pontuação: /2
Recursos visuais
Formality of 'Stand Around'
Too structured for pure slang.
N/A
Very common with friends.
Stop standing around, dude!
Standard for daily workplace talk.
They are standing around the lobby.
Usually replaced by 'lingering'.
The individuals remained stationary.
Where to use 'Stand Around'
At a Concert
Waiting for the show to start.
At the Office
Waiting for the copier to fix.
At a Party
Feeling shy near the drinks.
On the Street
Watching a street performer.
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasIt means to stay in one place without a specific purpose or activity. For example, We were just standing around the park.
It can be. If you say He's just standing around, it implies he's lazy. Use it carefully!
Usually no. It's for people or sometimes animals. You wouldn't say a chair is standing around.
Stand is just the physical act. Stand around implies you are there for a while doing nothing useful.
Yes, stand about is very common in British English. Both are perfectly understood everywhere.
Probably not. It sounds a bit too casual and negative. Use waiting or observing instead.
Using it when someone is actually busy. If someone is standing but working hard, don't say they are standing around.
Not always. It can just mean you are waiting, like standing around for the bus.
The past tense is stood around. For example, Yesterday, we stood around in the rain for an hour.
Usually, we say standing around waiting to. For example, standing around to see the parade.
Frases relacionadas
Hang around
To stay in a place for no particular reason (more general than standing).
Loiter
To stand or wait around idly (often used in a legal or suspicious context).
Kill time
To do something unproductive while waiting for something else.
Wait around
To stay in one place specifically because you are expecting something to happen.
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