Phrasal Verbs

stand by (3)

This page is about the phrasal verb 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

a. rescued them

b. tried to help

c. did nothing
a) rescued them b) tried to help c) did nothing

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1000 Phrasal Verbs in Context

Contributor: Matt Errey