stand by

Dictionary

stand by(

)

An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g. Everybody please stand up.).

intransitive verb phrase

1. (to not get involved)

a. mantenerse al margen

Those who stood by and watched were found guilty of providing moral support to the thief.Los que se mantuvieron al margen y se quedaron viendo fueron hallados culpables de dar apoyo moral al ladrón.

b. quedarse de brazos cruzados

This is unfair. I'm not going to stand by.Esto es injusto. No voy a quedarme de brazos cruzados.

2. (to be at the ready)

a. estar preparado

The fire department is standing by at the fireworks show just in case.El cuerpo de bomberos está preparado en el espectáculo de fuegos artificiales por si acaso.

b. aguardar

Please stand by for further instructions.Aguarde nuevas instrucciones.

This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.

no direct translation

Flight attendants, stand by for landing.Auxiliares de vuelo, listas para aterrizar.

Stand by for incoming!¡Listos para recibir un obús!

A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g. Take out the trash.).

transitive verb phrase

3. (to uphold)

a. mantener

The media were shocked when he stood by his racist statements.Los medios de comunicación se sorprendieron cuando mantuvo sus declaraciones racistas.

b. atenerse

The candidate won over followers by standing by what she promised.La candidata ganó adeptos al atenerse a lo prometido.

4. (to support)

a. apoyar

Kelly stood by Bill even when everyone else had turned against him.Kelly apoyó a Bill aún cuando todos los demás se habían vuelto contra él.

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stand by

A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g. Take out the trash.).

transitive verb phrase

1. (friend)

a. apoyar

2. (promise, prediction)

a. mantener

An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g. The man sneezed.).

intransitive verb

3. (be ready)

a. estar preparado(a)

4. (not get involved)

a. mantenerse al margen, quedarse sin hacer nada

stand by

verb:intransitive:plus_adverb

1 (do nothing) mantenerse aparte

How could you stand idly by while they attacked him? We will not simply stand by and let democracy be undermined

2 (be ready) estar preparado or listo

stand by for further news seguirán más noticias; stand by for take-off! ¡listos para despegar!; the Navy is standing by to help unidades de la Flota están listas para prestar ayuda

intransitive verb

[+person] apoyar or respaldar a

She stood by her husband despite the accusations

[+promise] cumplir con

we stand by what we said nos atenemos a lo dicho; the Minister stood by his decision el Ministro mantuvo su decisión

Collins Complete Spanish Electronic Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers 2011

Examples