2
general::
stick by sth/sb
to continue to support something or someone, especially in a difficult situation
• We must stick by our decision., stick out
1. to go past the surface or edge of something
• Paul's ears stick out a bit, don't they.
• There was a handkerchief sticking out of his jacket pocket., stick sth/sb up
[ M ] mainly US informal
to steal from a place or person, using a gun as a threat
• Did you hear that someone stuck up the post office last night?, stick together
1. informal If people stick together, they support and help each other
• The country's Foreign Minister said that it was important for small nations to stick together., stick at sth
( also stick to/with sth ) UK
to continue trying hard to do something difficult
• You'll never learn to play the piano if you're not prepared to stick at it., stick to sth
2. If you stick to a law, rule or promise, you obey it or do what it states
• If you make a promise, you should stick to it., stick it out
informal
to continue to the end of a difficult or unpleasant situation
• I know things are difficult at the moment, but if we just stick it out, I'm sure everything will be OK in the end., stick (sth) out
[ M ]
to come forward from the rest of your body, or to make part of your body do this
• Mum, Lewis stuck out his tongue at me!
• He stuck his arm out of the window and waved at us.
• I wish my stomach didn't stick out so much., stick around
informal
to stay somewhere for a period of time
• You go - I'll stick around here a bit longer., stick up for sth/sb
informal
to support or defend someone or something, especially when they are being criticized
• I can stick up for myself.
• It's sweet the way he sticks up for his little brother., stick with sth/sb
informal
to continue doing something or using someone to do work for you, and not stopping or changing to something or someone else
• He said that he was going to stick with the traditions established by his grandfather.
• He's a good car mechanic - I think we should stick with him., stick out
2. informal to be very easy to notice
• She certainly sticks out in a crowd., stick together
2. If people stick together, they stay close to each other
• The two brothers always stick together at school., stick up
to point up above the surface of something and not lie flat
• When I get up in the morning, my hair is always sticking up.
• There were some large rocks sticking up out of the water., stick to sth
1. to limit yourself to doing or using one particular thing and not change to anything else
• Could you stick to the point, please?
• We'd better stick to the main road, because the other roads are blocked with snow.
Cambridge-Phrasal Verbs
3
general::
verb ADV. just, simply He simply stuck a pin in at random amongst the names of candidates. PREP. in, into, on, onto, through He stuck the note through her letter box. PHRASAL VERBS stick to sth ADV. close, closely | rigidly, slavishly, strictly sticking slavishly to the rules | doggedly, firmly, resolutely, stubbornly She simply made a decision and resolutely stuck to it. VERB + STICK tend to I tended to stick to tried and tested techniques. | decide to | be determined to, noun ADJ. big, long | little, short | thick, thin QUANT. bundle | pile VERB + STICK brandish, wave A mob came over the hill yelling and brandishing sticks.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
4
general::
In addition to the idioms beginning with STICK, Also see CARROT AND STICK; GET ON THE STICK; MAKE STICK; MORE THAN ONE CAN SHAKE A STICK AT; SHORT END OF THE STICK; STAND (STICK) UP FOR; WRONG END OF THE STICK. Also see under STUCK.
American Heritage Idioms