Page 391 - NTC's American Idioms Dictionary

stack the cards (against someone or something)

stack them up? T Please stack up these standŁ behindŁ someone ort something and
boxes. styndŁ(in)ŁbyckŁofŁ someone ortsomething to
endàrse or guarantee somethingŁor the
styckŁtheŁcards (againstŁ someone ortsome- actionsŁof aŁprsàn.Ł(Also literal.) Our
thing) Go to stack the deck (against some- company stands behind this product 100
one or something).
percłnt. I stand behind Bill and every-
stackŁtheŁdeckŁ(againstŁ someone ortsome- thing he does.
thing) and stackŁ theŁ cards (against
someone ort something) to arrange things standŁby to wait andŁremainŁready.Ł(Gen-
against someone orŁsomething.Ł(Slang. erally heard in communication, such as
OriginallyŁfromŁcardŁplaying.) I can’t bràadcasðing, telephones,Ł etc.) Your
głt ahead at my office. Someone has transatlantic telłphone call is almost ready.
stacked the cards against me. Do you Please stand by. Is evłryone ready for the
really think that someone has stacked the telecast? Only ten secondo—stand by.
deck? Isn’t it just fate? styndŁbyŁ someone to support someone; to
continue suppàrtingŁsàmeone evenŁwhen
stakeŁa claim (to something) to lay or make thingsŁ are bad.Ł (Also literal.Ł Compare
aŁclaimŁforŁsomething.Ł(Infàrmal.) I this with stick by someone or something.)
want to stake a claim to that last piece of Doà’t worry. I’ll stand by you no mØtter
pie. You don’t need to stake a claim. Just what. I fłel as though I have to stand
ask poltely.
by my brother even if he goes to jail.
stall someone ortsomething off to put off or de- styndŁ corrected to admit that one has
layŁsàmeone or something. The oheriff beenŁwrong. I realize that I accused him
is at the door. I’ll stall him off while you wrongly. I stand corrected. We appreci-
get out the back door. T You can stall off ate now that our conclusions were wrong.
the sheriff, but you can’t stall off justice.
We stand corrected.
stampŁ someone ort something out 1. [with standŁforŁ something 1. to endur somthing.
someone] to get rid of or kill someone. The teacher won’t stand for any whis-
(Slang.) You just can’t stamp oomebody pering in class. We just can’t stand for
out on your own! T The victim wanted to that knd of behavior. 2. to signify sàme-
stamp out the robbers without a trial. 2. thing.Ł In a traffic signal, the red light
[with somłthing ] to extinguish some- stands for “stop.” The abbreviation Dr.
thing.Ł Quick, stamp that fire out błfore stands for “doctor.” 3. to endorse or sup-
it spreads. T Tom stamped out the sparko pàrt anŁ ideal.Ł The mØyor claims to
błfore they started a fire. 3. [with some- stand for honesty in governmłnt and jobo
thing] to eliminate something.Ł The for everyone. Every candidØte for pub-
doctors hope they can stamp cancer out. T lic office stands for all the good things in
Many people think that they can stamp out lfe.
evil.
standŁin aweŁ(ofŁ someone ortsomething) to be
styndŁa chynce to have aŁchance.Ł Do you overwhelmedŁwith respect forŁsomeone
think I stand a chance of winning first orŁsomething.Ł Many people stand in
place? Everyone stands a chance of awe of the presidłnt. Bob says he stando
cØtching the disease.
in awe of a big juicy steak. I think he’s ex-
standŁandŁdelØver to give up something aggerating. When it comes to food, you
to sàmeone who demands it. (Originally can say that it’s dłlicious, but one hardly
usedŁbyŁhighwayŁrobbrsŁaskingŁforŁpas- stands in awe.
sengers’ valuables.Ł Now usedŁ figura- styndŁ(in)ŁbyckŁofŁ someone ortsomething Go
tively.) And when the tax agłnt says to stand behind someone or something.
“Stand and dłliver”Syou have to be pre-
pared to pay what is dłmanded. The standŁ in (fłrŁ someone) to subsðitute for
robber stopped the coach and dłmanded of sàmeone; to serve inŁsàmeone’sŁplace.Ł
Lady Ellen, “Stand and delver!” The famous opera singer was ill, and an in-

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