stand by
• be present while something bad is happening but fail to take any action to stop it.
• "he was beaten to the ground as onlookers stood by"
• be ready to deal or assist with something.
• "two battalions were on their way, and a third was standing by"
Similar:
wait,
be prepared,
be in (a state of) readiness,
be ready for action,
be on full alert,
be at battle stations,
wait in the wings,
Opposite:
stand down,
• support or remain loyal to someone, typically in a time of need.
• "she had stood by him during his years in prison"
Similar:
remain/be loyal to,
stand up for,
support,
give one's support to,
be supportive of,
back,
back up,
give one's backing to,
uphold,
defend,
come to the defence of,
stick up for,
champion,
take someone's part,
take the side of,
side with,
standby
noun
• readiness for duty or immediate deployment.
• "buses were placed on standby for the journey to London"
• the state of waiting to secure an unreserved place for a journey or performance, allocated on the basis of earliest availability.
• "passengers were obliged to go on standby"
