To keep doing something you decided to do, even if it gets difficult or boring.
If you want to get fit, you need to stick to your exercise routine.
A: Are you still doing that online course? B: Yeah, I'm trying to stick to my study schedule, even though it's tough.
In my opinion, it's important to stick to your goals, especially when you face challenges.
Common mistake
✗I'll stick on my plan.
✓I'll stick to my plan.
'Stick TO' a plan — not 'on'.
Tell it apart
Let's stick to the plan.
keep following it
Let's stick to the point.
don't wander off-topic — sense
Use 'stick to' when talking about not changing your plan, schedule, or routine.'Stick with' can mean to stay with a person or thing, but 'stick to' is used for plans, routines, or decisions.
To obey a rule, limit, or agreement without breaking it.
Please stick to the budget we agreed on for this project.
A: Can I eat more than 2,000 calories a day? B: The doctor said you should stick to the limit if you want to lose weight.
I believe it's important to stick to the rules at work to avoid misunderstandings.
Common mistake
✗You must stick the rules.
✓You must stick to the rules.
'Stick TO' the rules — don't drop 'to'.
Tell it apart
Stick to the budget.
stay within the limit
Stick to the plan.
keep following it — sense
Use 'stick to' when you talk about not breaking rules, limits, or agreements.'Stick to' is about not going outside the rules or limits, while 'break' means to not follow them.
To continue talking or writing about only one particular subject, rather than moving to other topics.
During the debate, the moderator asked everyone to stick to the issue at hand.
A: I think we should discuss the budget cuts. B: Let's stick to the agenda for now and come back to that later.
In academic writing, it is important to stick to the main argument and avoid unnecessary digressions.
Common mistake
✗Let's stick on the topic.
✓Let's stick to the topic.
'Stick TO' the topic — not 'on'.
Tell it apart
Stick to the point.
don't wander off-topic
Stick to the rules.
obey them — sense
'Stick to' in this sense is used to politely or firmly tell someone to remain focused on the main topic in discussions, meetings, or writing. It is common in academic, professional, and exam contexts when digression is discouraged.Unlike the B1 sense ('continue with a plan') and the B2 sense ('follow a rule'), this sense is about maintaining focus on a specific subject in speech or writing, not about actions or rules.