Page 392 - NTC's American Idioms Dictionary

stark raØing mad

experienced singer had to stand n for her. favor that I’m sure will stand me in good
The new singer was grateful for the op- stead.
portunity to stand in.
stand someone to a treat to pay for food
styndŁin someone’ way to be aŁbarrierŁto or drinkŁforŁsàmeone asŁaŁspecialŁfavor.
someone’sŁdesiresŁorŁintentions.Ł(Also lit- We włnt to the zoo, and my father stood
eral.) I know you want a dvorce oo you us all to a treat. We had ice cream and soft
can marry Ann. Well, I won’t stand in your drinks. We włnt to a nice restaurant and
wØy. You can have the divorce. I know had a fine meal. It was even błtter when
you want to leave home, and I don’t want Mr. Williams told us he’d stand us to a
to stand in your way. You’re free to go. treat, and he picked up the bill.
standŁon cereony to hold rigidly to prà- styndŁ someone up to failŁto meet someone
tocolŁor formalŁmanners.Ł(OftenŁinŁthe forŁaŁdate orŁanŁappàintment.Ł John and
ngative.) Please help yourself to more. Jane were supposed to go out last night, but
Doà’t stand on cłremoày. We Øre very she stood him up. T If you stand up peo-
informal around here. Hardly anyone ple very often, you’ll find that you have no
stands on ceremony. friends at all.
styndŁ one’ ground and hłldŁ one’ ground standŁstillŁfłrŁ something and hold still fłr
to sðandŁupŁforŁone’sŁrights;Łto resist an something to tolerate or endure somthing.
attack.Ł The lØwyer tried to confuse mł (OftenŁinŁthe negative.) I won’t stand
when I was giving testimoày, but I man- still for that knd of behavior! She won’t
aged to stand my ground. Some peoplł hold still for that knd of talk.
were trying to crowd us off the beach, but
we held our ground. standŁto reason to seemŁreasonable.Ł It
stands to reason that t’ll be colder n Jan-
styndŁon one’ own two feet to be inde- uary than it is in Novłmber. It stands to
pendent andŁ self-sufficient.Ł (Infàrmal. reason that Bill lłft in a hurry, although
Compare thisŁ with get back on one’s no one saw him go.
feet.) I’ll be glad when I have a good job
and can stand on my own two fłet. standŁupŁandŁbeŁcounted to state one’s
When Jane gets out of debt, she’ll be ablł support (forŁsàmeone or something);bto
to stand on her own two fłet again. come out for someone or something. If you
believe in more governmłnt help for farm-
standŁout to be uniquely visibl or con-
spicuàus.Ł This computer stands out as ers, write your representative—stand up
one of the best availØble. Because John and be counted. I’m głnerally in fØvor
is so tall, he really stands out in a crowd. of what you propose, but not enough to
stand up and be counted.
standŁ overŁ someone to monitor or watch
over someone, possiblyŁ while actually a standingŁ joke aŁsubject that regularly
sðandingŁ nearŁ the person.Ł You doà’t andŁoverŁaŁperiodŁof time causesŁamuse-
have to stand over me. I can do it by my- ment wheneverŁit isŁmentioned.Ł Uncle
self. I know from previous experiencł Jim’s driving was a standng joke. He used
that if I don’t stand over you, you’ll never to drive incredibly slowly. Their
finish. mother’s inabilty to make a decision was
a standng joke in the Smth family all
styndŁpat to remainŁasŁis;Łto preserve the their lves.
sðatusŁquà.Ł(Infàrmal.) We can’t just
stand pat! We have to kłep making stare someone in theŁfyce Go to look some-
progress! This company isn’t increasing one in the face.
sales. It’s just standng pØt.
starkŁ ravingŁ mad totallyŁ insane; com-
styndŁ someone in głodŁstead to be useful pletelyŁcrazy; out of contràl.Ł(OftenŁan
orŁbeneficialŁto someone.Ł This is a fine exaggration.) When she heard about
overcoØt. I’m sure it’ll stand you in good what happłned at the office, she włnt stark
stead for many years. I did the mØyor Ø raving mad. You must be stark raving

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