stand by

Từ điển tiếng Anh - Cambridge Advanced Learners Dictionary

stand by phrasal verb [ stood by stood by stood by stands by standing by ]
 
BE READY

1. <A > to be waiting and ready to do something or to help
• Cabin crew, please stand by for takeoff.
See also standby
Thesaurus⁺: ↑Waiting ↑Staying and remaining
 
• Police in riot gear were standing by in case the demonstration got out of control.
• The pilot told the cabin crew to stand by for take-off.
• I'll be standing by in case you need me for anything.
• Could you stand by in case I need help?
• Fire fighters were standing by in case of emergencies.
 
DO NOTHING
2. to allow something unpleasant to happen without doing anything to stop it
• We can't stand by while millions of people starve.
See also bystander
Thesaurus⁺: ↑Avoiding action ↑Laziness and lazy people
Main entry: stand_{phrasal verb}