Can’t Stand Someone or Something

Meaning of Idiom ‘Can’t Stand (Someone or Something)

When you can’t stand someone or something, you strongly dislike them or it; be unable to tolerate being around someone or something. ¹

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Usage

This idiom is always used in the negative. We never say “I can stand (someone).”

Sometimes used with nouns such the word ‘sight’ as in “I can’t stand the sight of that guy. He is so conceited.”

Another common construction is “I can’t stand being in the same room with him/her.”

Examples Of Use

“I can’t stand your lies anymore. I just want you to leave me alone.”

“I can’t stand Jackie. He is the most obnoxious person I’ve ever met.”

“I can’t stand this crappy computer anymore. I’m going to get a new one.”

Origin

Used since the early 1600s. ²

Stand has long been used to mean endure or tolerate. This is an extension of the meaning applied to structures, machines, etc. such as the example “We need a house that can stand a lot of stormy weather.”

More Idioms Starting with C

• Chatterbox
• Copycat
• Cotton To Someone or Something
• Cotton On To Something
• Cheap and Cheerful Meaning

More Can’t Idioms

• Can’t See the Forest for the Trees
• You Can’t Miss It
• Leopard Can’t Change Its Spots, a
• Can’t (or don’t) Judge a Book by Its Cover

More Stand Idioms

• Stand On Someone’s Shoulders
• Know Where One Stands

 

References

1. Ammer, Christine. American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013.
2. Ammer, Christine. American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013.