can't stand

Idioms  

1. Also,. Thoroughly dislike; be unable to put up with something or someone. For example, I can't stand the sight of her; she's obnoxious, or I can't bear to leave the country, or I can't stomach a filthy kitchen. The oldest of these synonymous expressions is can't abide, which Shakespeare used in 2 Henry IV (3:2): “She could not abide Master Shallow.” Can't stand dates from the early 1600; can't bear dates from about 1700 and often but not always is used with an infinitive; can't stomach dates from the late 1600s and today is less common than the others.

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Example Sentences

“I think the inability to seek federal habeas relief would also lead to more people simply giving up on viable claims for immigration relief because they can’t stand to be in detention any longer.”

From Slate • Jun. 18, 2026

Healey warned the prime minister he'd have to quit if nothing changed, saying, "As it is, I can't stand behind this – and I would have to resign".

From BBC • Jun. 13, 2026

If you can’t stand the heat, better get out of the market’s kitchen.

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026

“It doesn’t have to be: OK, you can’t touch the tree, or, we’re going to whack the tree back so much that you can’t stand to look at it,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 2026

Mrs. Brisbane looked horrified and said, “I can’t stand rodents! Take it back!”

From "The World According to Humphrey" by Betty G. Birney

Related Words

• abhor
• despise
• detest
• loathe
• scorn
• shun