PhrasesHub

Stand and deliver

    Definitions

      • demand something, usually money, forcefully
        To demand something from someone in a threatening or forceful manner, often with the implication of robbery or extortion

      • assert oneself
        To stand up for oneself and assert one's rights or demands, often in a bold or defiant manner

    Examples of Stand and deliver

    • The robber held a gun to the bank teller's head and demanded, "Stand and deliver!"

      This is a classic usage of the idiom "stand and deliver." It means the robber ordered the bank teller to stand still and hand over all the money in the bank. It's a command used by a person in a position of authority, such as a robber or a police officer, who demands something from someone else.

    • During the exam, the professor loudly announced, "All right, students, stand and deliver! Put your pens down!"

      Here, the idiom is used in a more lighthearted way. The professor might have been jokingly commanding the students to stop writing and raise their hands in surrender, to acknowledge that the exam is over.

    • The boss turned to his employees and said, "Alright, folks, stand and deliver your best performance today!"

      This is an example of using the idiom as motivational speech or pep talk, to encourage someone to do their best. Instead of demanding something, it's more of an exhortation to give their full potential.

    • The crowd yelled at the runner, "Stand and deliver, or we'll push you off the track!"

      Here, the idiom is used in a more aggressive way. The crowd is essentially threatening the runner by demanding that they give up or they'll forcibly remove them from the race. It's an example of using the idiom to command someone in a difficult or intense situation.

    • The robber pointed his gun at the bank teller and demanded, "Stand and deliver!"

      This is a classic use of the idiom "stand and deliver," which comes from the medieval practice of requiring a person to "stand and deliver" their goods, especially money, to a tax collector. In this context, the robber is essentially demanding that the bank teller hand over the money.

    • The CEO addressed the shareholders, "Stand and deliver, I present to you our latest financial report!"

      In this example, the CEO is using the idiom in a more metaphorical sense, urging the shareholders to pay close attention to the financial report that she is presenting.

    • The police officer pulled over the driver and said, "Stand and deliver your license and registration!"

      Here, the police officer is using the idiom in a more modern sense, requiring the driver to provide their legal documents as part of a traffic stop.

    • The comedian joked, "I'm going to rob a bank! Stand and deliver, you little bankers!"

      In this example, the comedian is using the idiom in a humorous way, poking fun at the idea of demanding money from a bank. Despite the lighthearted context, the original meaning of the idiom still shines through.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "stand and deliver" can be used in two distinct ways. The first meaning involves forcefully demanding something, typically money, from someone. This can imply a threatening or forceful act, such as robbery or extortion. The second meaning involves asserting oneself and standing up for one's rights or demands in a bold or defiant manner.

    The idiom is often used in a dramatic or confrontational context, and it carries a sense of urgency and determination. Whether it's used to describe a demand for payment or as a call to assert one's rights, "stand and deliver" conveys a sense of directness and insistence.

    Origin of "Stand and deliver"

    The origin of the idiom "stand and deliver" can be traced back to the highwaymen of the 18th century. These robbers would stop carriages on the road and demand that the passengers "stand and deliver" their valuables. The phrase became associated with highway robbery and has since evolved to encompass any forceful demand for something, often with a threatening undertone.

    The expression has also been popularized in literature and film, further solidifying its association with bold and confrontational actions. Today, "stand and deliver" is used figuratively to convey a sense of assertiveness and determination in demanding or standing up for something.