Grammar fix
stand up for
defend someone or something
to support or defend a person, idea, or right, especially when it is being criticized or challenged
phrasal verbB1common
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
You should always stand up for your friends if someone is treating them unfairly.
In my opinion, it's important to stand up for your beliefs, even if others disagree with you.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: You should stand up your friends.
Say: You should stand up for your friends.
Don't drop 'for'. Without it, 'stand up' just means rise to your feet.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Stand up for' is the spirited everyday phrase; 'defend the rights of' is formal.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
stand up for
- yourself
- your rights
- what you believe
- others