can't stand

Idioms and Phrases

Also, can't abide or bear or stomach . Thoroughly dislike; be unable to put up with something or someone. For example, I can't stand the sight of her; she's obnoxious , or I can't bear to leave the country , or I can't stomach a filthy kitchen . The oldest of these synonymous expressions is can't abide , which Shakespeare used in 2 Henry IV (3:2): “She could not abide Master Shallow.” Can't stand dates from the early 1600; can't bear dates from about 1700 and often but not always is used with an infinitive; can't stomach dates from the late 1600s and today is less common than the others.

Example Sentences

He said, “I used to hang out with him. He’s a crazy motherf***er. Limited mentally – a megalomaniac, narcissistic. I can’t stand him.”

From Salon

“We’re helping – and the leaders do nothing. People are still dying. I can’t stand this anymore.”

From BBC

If you can’t stand against that aggression, then you’re not worth a cup of warm spit as a news organization.

From Salon

“I can’t help but think that a significant amount of her stances are genuine and possibly some are because she needs to represent her district,” said Marshack, 75, a retired family law attorney “That’s OK, given the options I have ... I can’t stand her opponent.”

From Los Angeles Times

Simon can’t stand Garfunkel, Don couldn’t stand Phil Everly, and then you have the kids in Oasis... so the tradition carries on.

From BBC

Related Words

• abhor
• despise
• detest
• loathe
• scorn
• shun