This week’s phrasal verb is “stand for”, and it has three different meanings:
1. for some initials to represent words. For example:
A: What does ASAP stand for?
B: It stands for as soon as possible.
My friend told me UFO stands for unidentified flying object.
2. to believe in and represent a certain ideal way of living. For example:
I believe that our prime minister stands for family values.
That company refuses to use cheap labor in poor countries. They really stand for honesty and integrity!
3. to tolerate something. For example:
My mother won’t stand for any swearing in her house. One time I said a bad word and she washed my mouth out with soap!
You’d better be on time for work. Our boss won’t stand for anyone arriving late.
The third way of using “stand for” is always used in negative sentences and usually with the word “won’t”.
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