Stick up
verb
To rob a person or place, often at gunpoint.
The masked man decided to stick up the local bank.
Often appears as...
- stick up a bank
- stick up a store
Usage tips
Colloquial, Disapproving
Idiomatic
verb
To rise vertically or be erect.
Her hair was so static that it stuck up in every direction.
Often appears as...
- hair sticks up
- feather sticks up
verb
To support or defend someone or something.
I always stick up for my little brother when he gets bullied.
Often appears as...
- stick up for a friend
- stick up for rights
Usage tips
Approving
verb
To attach or fasten something somewhere, usually with an adhesive substance.
He stuck up the poster on the wall.
Often appears as...
- stick up a poster
- stick up a note
verb
To rob a person or place, often at gunpoint.
The masked man decided to stick up the local bank.
Often appears as...
- stick up a bank
- stick up a store
Usage tips
Colloquial, Disapproving
Idiomatic
verb
To rise vertically or be erect.
Her hair was so static that it stuck up in every direction.
Often appears as...
- hair sticks up
- feather sticks up
verb
To support or defend someone or something.
I always stick up for my little brother when he gets bullied.
Often appears as...
- stick up for a friend
- stick up for rights
Usage tips
Approving
verb
To attach or fasten something somewhere, usually with an adhesive substance.
He stuck up the poster on the wall.
Often appears as...
- stick up a poster
- stick up a note
Definition 1 of 4
Pro Tip 1/3Crime Vocabulary
The phrase 'stick up' implies a serious crime and is often used in news reports or crime dramas.
Did you hear about the stick up at the gas station last night?
Pro Tip 2/3Historical Saying
'Stick up' originated in old Western movies, where bandits would rob people or trains.
They played cops and robbers, shouting 'This is a stick up!' just like in old movies.
Pro Tip 3/3Forceful Connotation
Using 'stick up' can imply force or threat, especially with a weapon involved.
The thieves were arrested for attempting to stick up several stores.
Pro Tip 1/3Crime Vocabulary
The phrase 'stick up' implies a serious crime and is often used in news reports or crime dramas.
Did you hear about the stick up at the gas station last night?
Pro Tip 2/3Historical Saying
'Stick up' originated in old Western movies, where bandits would rob people or trains.
They played cops and robbers, shouting 'This is a stick up!' just like in old movies.
Pro Tip 3/3Forceful Connotation
Using 'stick up' can imply force or threat, especially with a weapon involved.
The thieves were arrested for attempting to stick up several stores.
Pro Tip 1/3Crime Vocabulary
The phrase 'stick up' implies a serious crime and is often used in news reports or crime dramas.
Did you hear about the stick up at the gas station last night?
Pro Tip 2/3Historical Saying
'Stick up' originated in old Western movies, where bandits would rob people or trains.
They played cops and robbers, shouting 'This is a stick up!' just like in old movies.
Pro Tip 3/3Forceful Connotation
Using 'stick up' can imply force or threat, especially with a weapon involved.
The thieves were arrested for attempting to stick up several stores.
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