The second definition is often used when someone is talking on the telephone.
o The little girl held on to her mother's hand and refused to let go as they
walked through the large crowd of people.
o (on the telephone) Could you please hold on a moment while I get a
pencil and paper?
o Come on, Mike, hold on. I can't get ready so quickly.
LESSON 22
to stop by: to visit or stop somewhere briefly in order to do something
o James had to stop by the registrar's office to submit a transcript
request form.
o Let's stop by the supermarket and pick up a few grocery items.
to drop (someone) a line: to write a note to someone (S)
o As soon as I get to Florida, I'll drop you a line and tell you about my
new job.
o If you have time, drop me a line now and then while you're traveling.
to come across: to meet or find unexpectedly (also: to run across); to be
perceived or judged as (also: to come off)
o While Cheryl was cleaning the attic, she came across some very old
coins. It took her by surprise to run across something like that.
o Jeff's boss comes across as a tough, unpleasant person, but actually Jeff
says that he is a good employer.
o Some people come off quite differently than they really are.
to stand for: to represent, to signify; to tolerate
The second definition is usually used in a negative sense. The meaning is the
same as to put up with in Lesson 19.
o On the American flag, each start stands for one of the fifty states, and
each stripe stands for one of the original thirteen colonies of the 1800s.
o The citizens wouldn't stand for the increase in crime in their city, so
they hired more police officers and built another jail.
to stand a chance: to have the possibility of accomplishing something
This idiom is often used with an adjective such as good or excellent. It also
occurs in the negative, sometimes with the adjective much.
o The New York baseball team stands a good chance of winning the
World Series this year.
o Because John doesn't have any previous work experience, he doesn't
stand a chance of getting that job.
o The woman injured in the serious train accident doesn't stand much
chance of surviving.
to take pains: to work carefully and conscientiously
o She takes pains to do everything well; she's our best employee.
o He took great pains with his last assignment because he needed to get
an excellent grade to pass the class.