The Phrasal Verb 'Stick Up' Explained
- Phrasal Verbs Explained
- Dec 5
- 11 min read
An explanation of the different meanings of the English phrasal verb 'stick up' from a native speaker, with lots of examples in context
Hello and welcome to my website for English learners all about phrasal verbs where I explain their different meanings to help you understand, learn and use them like a native.
Did you know that there at least 4 different ways to use the phrasal verb 'stick up' in English? In this post, I will be explaining all of these for you, from carelessly putting something somewhere to robbing a bank. For each application, I will give you lots of example sentences to show you in which contexts they are used. I will even give you a couple of bonus uses in noun and adjective form too. So, without further ado, let's make a start....
TABLE OF CONTENTS (Click to jump to each one)
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THE BASICS
STICK UP: KEY INFORMATION
Usage | Common |
Number of meanings | 4 |
Past tense forms | Stuck up / Stuck up |
Separable? | Yes |
I know that you are here to learn the different meanings of the phrasal verb 'stick up', but how well do you know the individual words 'stick' and 'up' on their own? Let's take a quick look at them first before we continue on to the meanings of 'stick up'....
To stick - 'To stick' is a verb in English with several different meanings. The main meaning of 'to stick' is 'to attach to something, normally using something like glue or tape and is one that we will revisit later in this post. Another meaning that is directly linked to this is 'to become fixed or jammed in a particular position'. One other informal meaning of 'to stick' that is relevant for this phrasal verb is 'to put or place something somewhere, often in a careless or quick way'. 'To stick' is an irregular verb, with 'stuck' being the word for both past tense forms.
I stuck the birthday card to the present.
Help! I've accidentally glued my finger to the chair and now it's stuck to it and I can't move it.
Are you going to stick with your choice or would you like to select something else?
John stuck his keys on the table when got in from work.
Up - Regular visitors to this website will know that the prepositional particle 'up' features in a lot of different phrasal verbs and perhaps most obviously, it can be used to add the idea of a physical movement to a higher place when it does (walk up, go up). In addition, 'up' can add different meanings to a phrasal verb construction, including finishing (drink up), increase (mount up), improvement (brighten up), collection (round up) and preparation (set up).
So, now that we have covered the basics, let's move on to look at the different meanings of the phrasal verb 'stick up'....
MEANING 1: To put something in a high place
CEFR Language Level | B1 - Intermediate |
Usage | Common |
Where is it used? | Everywhere |
Potential synonyms | To put up |
Separable? | Yes |
As per usual, let's start with the meaning of our phrasal verb that is closes to the literal meaning of the combination of the two words and in this case it is 'to put something in a high place'.
Nouns commonly used with this application....
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For this first application, there are really two different sub-applications of it, which both have slightly different meanings based on the idea that we are taking from the verb 'to stick', but they are ultimately very similar.
The first of these ideas goes back to the idea that we get from the verb 'to stick' of attaching or fixing something to a surface using glue or some other adhesive substance. If you stick something up, you are just sticking something to a vertical surface in a high or prominent position where other people can see it. This might be with glue, scotch tape or staples, the manner is not important - the idea is that you fix the thing in place using something in between it and the surface to hold it there.
As I just mentioned, we stick things up on surfaces where they can be seen by people and that we want them to notice and see and therefore includes poster and advertisement.
Chloe stuck up a poster on the bedroom wall.
The students stuck up flyers around campus to advertise the charity event.
I'ill stick a reminder note up above my desk so I don't forget.
Nigel is going to stick a map up on the door for everyone to see.
We've stuck decorations up all over the room in preparation for the party.
The teacher proudly stuck up her students’ drawings on the bulletin board.
Crystal stuck a sign up in the window announcing the sale.
The coach sticks up the new schedule on the notice board every year.
The other way in which this first application of 'stick up' can be used requires another meaning of the verb 'to stick', which is 'to put something somewhere in a quick or careless manner'. If you "stick something up", it can simply mean that you put it in a high or prominent place without much thought or care. This could be a physical object like a coat or a box or it could be a person's hand if they raise it quickly (a bit like an excited school child does when they know the answer to a question in class). Note that this second sub-application is used very informally and mainly used in spoken conversations.
On a grammatical level, note that this first application of 'stick up' is separable and the direct object often tends to be placed between the words 'stick' and 'up'.
Beth’s going to stick the boxes up on the highest shelf later.
Jeremy often sticks his jackets up on that tall hook by the door.
I’ll stick the spare towels up in the top closet when I put them away.
Everything that gets donated to the charity gets stuck up on the high racks until sorting day.
I didn't know what to do with the old armchair, so I just stuck it up in the attic until I make a decision.
The children eagerly stuck their hands up when the teacher asked them a question.
MEANING 2: To point upwards above a surface
CEFR Language Level | B1 - Intermediate |
Usage | Medium |
Where is is used? | Everywhere |
Potential synonyms | To stick out, to protrude |
Separable? | No |
Our second application of 'stick up' is another one that could also be considered a literal version of it and it means 'to point upwards above a surface'.
Another meaning of the verb 'to stick', especially when used with a particle like 'out' or 'up' is 'to point or extend away from the surface of something'. It is a bit like the idea we have of when sticks and it stays in a position and does not move; we just use a prepositional particle to it to give some extra information. With that in mind, if we say something 'sticks up', it means that it extends or points upwards above the surface of something, which is otherwise flat.
A classic example of this would be when people with short hair go to bed and wake up the next morning with a section of their hair pointing upwards where they have slept on it. In this case we would say "you have a bit of hair sticking up". Likewise, if you are looking at a horizon, it might all be very flat and horizontal apart from a mountain or volcano that sticks up and breaks the horizon's flat line or you may have been unfortunate enough to step on a nail that is sticking up on the floor.
Another way that you might sometimes come across this usage is in reference to plants when they start to grow. When they first appear above the ground, you can say that they are 'sticking up' out of the ground.
This usage of 'stick up' is not separable since it does not take a direct object. If you want to talk about intentionally causing something to stick up e.g. hair, you might say "to make your hair stick up" instead.
Peter's hair sticks up at the back no matter how much he brushes it.
A few nails were sticking up from the old wooden floor.
The corner of the carpet is sticking up again.
Sandra's ears stick up slightly when she’s excited.
Can you see that branch sticking up out of the water?
The metal rod sticks up above the fence.
Some rocks were sticking up through the snow.
Your collar is sticking up on one side.
Tiny sprouts are already sticking up from the soil.
A piece of wire was sticking up from the ground and caught my shoe.
MEANING 3: To defend someone or something
CEFR Language Level | B2 - Upper intermediate |
Usage | Common |
Where is it used? | Everywhere |
Potential synonyms | To defend, to support |
Separable? | No |
We are now onto our third meaning of the phrasal verb 'stick up', which is 'to defend someone or something' and for this one, we will need the extra preposition 'for'.
Bullying is a horrible thing for anyone to experience, whether that is at school or later on in life. Perhaps one of the reasons that it is so unpleasant is that the victim often feels quite isolated and alone, especially as other people do not want to become involved for fear of becoming a victim too. In these often lonely times, we need someone to 'stick up for us' or in other words, to defend us against the bullies.
The reason that I use this example is because we often use 'stick up for' in situations when no other person will defend or support the victim. We do not only use it when someone is being bullied however as it can be used for when someone or something is being criticised or attacked by other people and you want to defend it.
Donna always sticks up for her little brother when kids tease him.
I really appreciated how you stuck up for me during the meeting, thank you.
He’s sticking up for his principles, even though it’s unpopular.
The girls stuck up for their friend when the rumours started spreading about her.
I’ll stick up for the idea, even if nobody else will. I think it’s worth considering.
Bill has always stuck up for his team, even in tough seasons.
I believe that we should stick up for the new policy; it’s actually helpful.
It meant a lot to me that you stuck up for my decision instead of doubting it.
One last thing to mention here is that if someone is brave enough to defend themselves against bullies or criticism, then we can use the construction to stick up for + the reflexive 'self' pronoun.
You need to stick up for yourself more often.
Nadia tends to stick up for people who can’t stick up for themselves.
How on Earth can I stick up for myself against those horrible people!
MEANING 4: To steal at gunpoint
CEFR Language Level | C1 - Advanced |
Usage | Medium |
Where is it used? | American English |
Potential synonyms | To rob, to steal, to hold up |
Separable? | No? |
Our fourth and final usage of the phrasal verb 'stick up' is an American one that means 'to steal at gunpoint'.
Nouns commonly used with this application....
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Firstly, if you're not sure what 'at gunpoint' means, it means under threat of being shot with a gun (literally when a gun is pointing at you). Essentially, if someone points a gun at you and demands that you give them your money or cellphone, then they are sticking you up.
It is not just people who can get 'stuck up' however and this can also be used to describe the places where the money or goods are stolen from e.g. bank, store.
You should note that this application is almost always used when thieves use a gun as a way of stealing and we do not typically use it to talk about "normal" stealing where a gun is not involved.
On a grammatical level, it is separable and the noun can go either between 'stick' and 'up' or after them. Note that if you are using a pronoun (me, her etc.) then this must always go between 'stick' and 'up'.
The thieves tried to stick up the corner store late last night.
Philip was arrested after attempting to stick up a gas station.
Two masked men stuck up the cashier and took all the money from the cash register.
The gang planned to stick up a bank but were caught by the police beforehand.
Eve told the police that someone had stuck her up in the parking lot.
The gang stuck up the delivery driver and stole the packages.
The suspect reportedly stuck a convenience store up with a toy gun.
Paul bragged about sticking up three stores before being caught.
The pair were charged with sticking up several tourists.
A man tried to stick us up, but we managed to get away safely.
STICK 'EM UP!
One phrase that is often associated with this particular application of 'stick up' is 'stick 'em up!' (short for stick them up). This informal command is reportedly used by robbers to tell their victims to put their hands in the air whilst they point their guns at them.
BONUS: The adjective 'stuck-up'
In addition to the phrasal verb meanings of 'stick up' that we have looked at, we also have an adjective 'stuck-up', which is derived from it.
We use the adjective 'stuck-up' to refer to people who are arrogant and snobby and therefore think that they are better than other people. The origin of this adjective comes from the idea that this type of person always has their nose pointed (or stuck) up in the air, almost like they are looking down on others.
Tabatha seemed really stuck-up when we first met, but she’s actually quite friendly.
Serge won’t talk to anyone outside his clique; he’s so stuck-up!
The fashion models acted stuck-up at the party, as if no one else was worth their time.
BONUS: The noun 'stick-up'
Finally, you should know that the noun 'stick-up' also exists and this one goes back to our final phrasal verb meaning as it means a robbery. As with the phrasal verb application, the robbery also always involves a gun being used as a way of threatening the victims into handing over the goods or money. Note that this usage is very similar to the noun 'hold-up' and is very informal. As with this phrasal verb usage, this is primarily an American one.
The robber was charged for his role in a stick-up downtown last week.
Witnesses said the stick-up lasted less than a minute.
We have now reached the end of this post and I just want to say thank you for clicking on my post and reading it. I hope that you've enjoyed it and have been able to learn something new about the phrasal verb 'stick up'. If you enjoyed this post, please go ahead and check out some of my other posts.
Now it is YOUR turn. Can you think of a sentence yourself using 'stick up'. Write it in the comments section below if you can, or alternatively any comments, suggestions or feedback that you may have....don't be shy!!!
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THE END