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Vocabulary : Phrasal Verbs : S : stand by (3)

stand by (3)

Meaning: to do nothing to stop something wrong or something bad from happening

For example:

  • stand by We can't stand by while millions of people are dying of starvation and disease.

  • stand by The world just stood by while thousands of people were murdered by their own government's soldiers.

Quick Quiz:

People were calling out for help from inside the burning building, and the people watching stood by and
  1. rescued them
  2. tried to help
  3. did nothing