Meaning trap
stand up to
withstand scrutiny
to be strong or valid enough to endure close examination, criticism, or testing without being disproved or weakened.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
to be strong or valid enough to endure close examination, criticism, or testing without being disproved or weakened.
'stand up to' also has the more basic meaning 'defend yourself against someone or something'; this is the advanced sense.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- Her theory does not stand up to close scrutiny by experts in the field.evaluation
- While the proposal initially seemed promising, it failed to stand up to rigorous academic scrutiny.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: stand up to + noun (scrutiny/criticism/examination/analysis)
WrongThe argument doesn't stand up against close examination.
RightThe argument doesn't stand up to close examination.
'Stand up TO' scrutiny/testing — not 'against'.
Patternstand up to + noun (scrutiny/criticism/examination/analysis)
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
'Stand up to' is the idiomatic 'hold up under testing'; the formal version is heavier.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
stand up to + testscrutinyexaminationthe evidencequestioning
Don't confuse it
Unlike the B2 sense, which is about resisting a person or group, this sense is abstract and refers to whether something can endure detailed examination or criticism.
Related
- stand up to (defend yourself against someone or something) — 'stand up to' also has the more basic meaning 'defend yourself against someone or something'; this is the advanced sense.