stand-up

Or stand·up

[stand-uhp]

adjective

1. standing erect or upright, as a collar.

2. performed, taken, etc., while one stands.

   a stand-up meal.

3. designed for or requiring a standing position.

   a stand-up lunch counter.

4. (of a fight) characterized by the rapid exchange of many blows with little attention given to defensive maneuvering.

5. (of a person) characterized by an erect or bold stance.

6. Baseball.,  (of a double or triple) pertaining to a hit that allows the hitter to reach the base safely without having to slide.

7. relating to or noting a performance by a comedian delivering a monologue while alone on the stage.

   stand-up comedy;

   the best stand-up comics.

8. Slang.,  loyal and dependable.

   He seems to be a real stand-up guy.

noun

1. comedy in which a comedian delivers a monologue while alone on the stage.

   We bought tickets to see some stand-up at a club downtown.

2. a comedian who delivers such monologues.

   I've been a stand-up for about five years.

stand up

verb

1. (intr) to rise to the feet

2. (intr) to resist or withstand wear, criticism, etc

3. informal,  (tr) to fail to keep an appointment with, esp intentionally

4. 1. to support, side with, or defend

   2. to serve as best man for (the groom) at a wedding

5. 1. to confront or resist courageously

   2. to withstand or endure (wear, criticism, etc)

adjective

1. having or being in an erect position

   a stand-up collar

2. done, performed, taken, etc, while standing

   a stand-up meal

3. (of comedy or a comedian) performed or performing solo

4. informal,  (of a boxer) having an aggressive style without much leg movement

   a stand-up fighter

noun

1. a stand-up comedian

2. stand-up comedy

Word History and Origins

Origin of stand up¹

First recorded in 1580–90; adjective and noun use of verb phrase stand up

Idioms and Phrases

Remain valid, sound, or durable, as in His claim will not stand up in court , or Our old car stood up well over time . [Mid-1900s]

Fail to keep a date or appointment with, as in Al stood her up twice in the past week, and that will be the end of their relationship . [ Colloquial ; c. 1900] Also see stand up for ; stand up to ; stand up with .

Example Sentences

That loss becomes the driving force of the doc, with Maron’s grief informing his daily life and thought process, while also providing cathartic, darkly humorous fodder for his stand-up gigs.

From Los Angeles Times

The hosting slot on a comedy show is a serious job for any stand-up.

From Los Angeles Times

More than 50 international comedians are slated to perform a mix of stand-up, improv and live talk shows.

From Los Angeles Times

Though they loved playing a “he/him,” Martin, who still regularly does stand-up at Largo and other L.A. venues, found Alex quite challenging.

From Los Angeles Times

“Obviously he was hilarious and very original,” says Carmen Christopher, the stand-up comedian and actor from “The Bear.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bear 
• endure 
• exist 
• get through 
• handle 
• keep 
• last 
• live 
• recover 
• remain 
• ride out 
• subsist 
• suffer 
• sustain 
• weather 
• withstand