standing up to
Refusing to yield
Standing up to someone or something means confronting or opposing them with courage, especially when they have more power or authority.
The phrase implies resistance in the face of intimidation or pressure: She finally stood up to her bullying coworker.
You can stand up to abstract forces as well as people: a building designed to stand up to earthquakes.
The physical image is of refusing to be knocked down or forced into submission.
- bulliesThose who intimidate others
- peer pressureInfluence from one's equals
- defyingActively refusing obedience
- resistingActively opposing pressure
- fighting backOpposing when attacked
pushing back · racism · opposing · sexism · homophobia · championing · social justice · empowerment · solidarity · boldness · steadfastness · noncompliance · resistance movement · activism · civil disobedience · assertiveness · whistleblowing · fearlessness
standing up toavoiding
Deliberately staying clear
evading · shying away from · fearing · ducking · sidestepping
standing up tosiding with
Aligning with another's position
supporting · enabling · going along with · abetting · facilitating
standing, stand, stands, upstanding, outstanding, withstand, withstanding, understand, understanding