stand for

What does "stand for" mean?

1. To represent or be an abbreviation for
2. To tolerate or accept
3. To support or advocate

Examples

• What does 'CEO' stand for?
• I won't stand for this behaviour!
• The party stands for social justice.
• UN stands for United Nations.
• She won't stand for any nonsense.

How to use it

'Stand for' with abbreviations is common. 'Won't stand for' means refusing to tolerate.

Similar expressions

Opposites

Related phrasal verbs

• stand up

  To rise to a standing position

• stand out

  To be very noticeable or different

• stand by

  To support someone in difficult times

• stand in

  To temporarily take someone's place

• stand up for

  To defend or support someone or something

• look for

  To try to find something or someone