Meaning trap
stand up to
withstand scrutiny
to be strong or valid enough to endure close examination, criticism, or testing without being disproved or weakened.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
to be strong or valid enough to endure close examination, criticism, or testing without being disproved or weakened.
'stand up to' also has the more basic meaning 'defend yourself against someone or something'; this is the advanced sense.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
Her theory does not stand up to close scrutiny by experts in the field.
While the proposal initially seemed promising, it failed to stand up to rigorous academic scrutiny.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: The argument doesn't stand up against close examination.
Say: The argument doesn't stand up to close examination.
'Stand up TO' scrutiny/testing — not 'against'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Stand up to' is the idiomatic 'hold up under testing'; the formal version is heavier.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
stand up to + test
- scrutiny
- examination
- the evidence
- questioning
Don't confuse it
Related
Other meanings and phrases to compare.
- stand up to (defend yourself against someone or something) — 'stand up to' also has the more basic meaning 'defend yourself against someone or something'; this is the advanced sense.