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English Phrasal Verbs

Practice your English with Caroline Brown

 

Now let's look at some common expressions using the verb 'to stick' combined with particles:

'to stick around' means to stay in a place, usually waiting for something.

  • I'll stick around a bit longer and wait for him.
  • I'm not going to stick around until the end. It'll be too late.

'to stick at' means to persevere, to continue doing something even if it is hard or unpleasant.

  • She stuck at it until she had got it right.
  • If you want to do it, you'll have to stick at it.

'to stick by' means to continue to support someone through difficult times.

  • She stuck by her husband through all the scandal.
  • We're best friends. We stick by each other through thick and thin.

'to stick by' also means to continue to support an idea or plan.

  • I stick by what I said. I haven't changed my mind.
  • They are sticking by their plans despite all the opposition.

'to stick down' means to fix something using glue.

  • The label was coming off so I stuck it down again.
  • I couldn't pull the carpet up. It had been stuck down with very strong glue.

'to stick out' is when an idea or someone is very obvious or noticeable.

  • She's a very tall redhead so she sticks out in a crowd.
  • She doesn't like him and it sticks out a mile.

'to stick to' means to restrict yourself to one thing.

  • That's not what we were talking about. Can we stick to the point?
  • No champagne for me. I was driving so I stuck to water all evening.

'to stick together' means to be united and support each other.

  • We have to stick together if we want to win this.
  • When things are difficult, people quickly learn to stick together.

 
'to stick up' a picture or notice means to attach it to a wall to display it.

  • Where shall we stick up the notices? We want everyone to see them.
  • His room in college was very bare until he stuck up lots of posters.

'to stick up for' someone or something means to defend them or it.

  • You have to stick up for what you believe in.
  • I'm big enough to stick up for myself. I don't need your help.

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