make a stand
To take a firm position on an issue.
He keeps talking about politics hut he never makes a stand for what he believes in.
To take up a defensive position against the enemy.
The retreating troops decided to make a stand by the river.
not a leg to stand on
leave without a leg to stand on
not have a leg to stand on
No good proof or excuse; no good evidence or defense to offer.
Не достаточные доказательства или оправдания; отсутствие хороших свидетельств или защиты.
The man with a gun and $300 in his pocket was accused of robbing an oil station. He did not have a leg to stand on.
Three people testified against him. He didn't have a leg to stand on.
Трое дали показания против него. Он не мог доказать свою правоту.
one-night stand
A single performance given by a traveling company while on a tour.
After they went bankrupt in the big cities, the traveling jazz quartet played one-night stands in the country.
A brief affair or sexual encounter.
"With AIDS all around us?" said Jane. "Nobody is having one-night stands anymore."
race to stand still
racing to stand still
fight against time
To be so far behind in one's work that one must exert an effort similar to that needed to win a race in order simply not to fall even further behind.
"Could you review this book for us, Professor Brown?" the editor asked. "Unfortunately, no," the professor answered. "I'm so behind in my work that I am racing to stand still."
stand a chance
stand a show
To have a possibility or opportunity; be likely to do or get something.
Fred doesn't stand a chance of being elected.
We stand a good chance of seeing Mary at the party.
The New York baseball team stands a good chance of winning the World Series this year.
Because John doesn’t have any previous work experience, he doesn’t stand a chance of getting that job.
The woman injured in the serious train accident doesn’t stand much chance of surviving.
stand by
To be close beside or near.
Mary could not tell Jane the secret with her little brother standing by.
Would you just stand by and watch the big boys beat your little brother?
To be near, waiting to do something when needed.
The policeman in the patrol car radioed the station about the robbery, and then stood by for orders.
Lee stood by with a fire extinguisher while the trash was burning.
To follow or keep (one's promise).
He is a boy who always stands by his promises.
To be loyal to; support; help.
When three big boys attacked Bill, Ed stood by him.
Some people blamed Harry when he got into trouble, but Joe stood by him.
stand for
To be a sign of; make you think of; mean.
The letters "U.S.A." stand for "United States of America."
The written sign "=" in an arithmetic problem stands for "equals."
Our flag stands for our country.
The owl stands for wisdom.
On the American flag, each star stands for one of the fifty states, and each stripe stands for one of the original thirteen colonies of the 1800s.
To speak in favor of something, or show that you support it.
The new President stood for honest government.
John always stands for what is right.
To try to be elected for.
Three men from London are standing for parliament.
The governor did not stand for reelection.
To allow to happen or to be done; permit. Usually used in the negative.
The teacher will not stand for fooling in the classroom.
The citizens wouldn’t stand for the increase in crime in their city, so they hired more police officers and built another jail.
stand in awe of
To look upon with wonder; feel very respectful to.
Janet always stands in awe of the superintendent.
The soldier stood in awe to his officers.