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

If they take a stand against antisemitism, their organization could be weakened and friends could turn their backs.

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The nonprofit states on its website that it vets and supports “candidates who are willing to do whatever it takes to protect our God-given liberties and take a stand for Biblical Justice!”

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In a September letter, nine associations representing retailers and restaurants begged Congress to take a stand on rounding.

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“Somebody, sometime, has got to take a stand and say democracy cannot survive, much less thrive with the level of big corporate and big government interference and intimidation in news.”

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

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Related Words

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