To stand by somebody is to stay loyal to them when they are in trouble. Also, to wait ready for instructions.
The loyalty sense is the warmer one, and standing by a friend in a crisis is one of the highest compliments in English. It takes a person. The waiting sense gives the noun standby, meaning ready and in reserve, and a standby ticket is one bought only if a seat is free. There is a colder third sense, since standing by while something happens means failing to intervene.
1phrasestand byTo remain loyal to somebody in difficulty.
“He would stand by her whatever the papers printed.”
2phrasewaitTo wait in readiness.
“Crews were told to stand by from midnight.”
Also accepted in games: support
Practised in Phrasal Verbs, A Man Called Ove
First appears in chapter 12 of A Man Called Ove.
Practise this word