She took a stand on housing policy even when donors objected.
It is easier to complain privately than to take a stand in public.
The workers decided to take a stand against unsafe conditions.
The board refused to take a stand until the report was public.
Students urged the university to take a stand for free speech.
Similar words
hold firm
plant your flag
make a stand
speak out
take a position
stand firm
Meanings
Usage
Use take a stand for a clear public position, not for merely having a private opinion. Use take the stand for giving testimony in court.
Common mistakes
Take the stand is often used by mistake for take a stand, but take the stand means to testify in court.
Etymology
The idiom draws on stand in the sense of holding one's ground, especially in military or defensive contexts. Dictionary.com dates the idiom to the mid-1800s.
FAQ
Comments & contributions
Know this word from another angle? Add a correction, a nuance, or a usage note. New posts go public after a quick review.