take a stand

1. Adopt a firm position about an issue, as in She was more than willing to take a stand on abortion rights. This idiom alludes to the military sense of stand, “hold one's ground against an enemy.” [Mid-1800s] Also see make a stand.

Example Sentences

Attempting to silence the opposition, however, has a way of backfiring, galvanizing people to take a stand.

From Slate

Nicholls led demonstrators through the parking lot and into the store, where she read aloud the letter asking Home Depot to take a stand against raids.

From Los Angeles Times

When it comes crashing down and it hurts inside you gotta take a stand, it don’t help to hide.

From Salon

Murkowski, notably, was the only Republican to vote against Kavanaugh’s confirmation, a move many politics watchers interpreted as a sign that she was at least willing to take a stand for the basic rights of women.

From Slate

When billionaires bow to a would-be dictator, everyday Americans have the responsibility to take a stand on the shared convictions concerning freedom, liberty, and justice for all.

From Salon

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