abide

abide by

To obey something, usually an established rule. Because Donna refuses to abide by her parents' rules, I worry that she'll be told to move out of their house. If you don't abide by the guidelines set by the review board, you might find yourself disqualified. The school threatens to expel any student who cannot abide by their rules and regulations.

See also: abide, by

abide by a decision

To accept, follow, and comply with a decision, especially that which is handed down by a judge. Though it stings my dignity, I have to abide by the court's decision to not allow me to drive a car for the next 12 months. Yes, it's a harsh punishment, but I think that abiding by the decision could help him to repair his reputation with the public. No, I cannot abide by a decision as unjust as this one! My lawyer will be submitting an appeal first thing on Monday!

See also: abide, by, decision

abide with (someone)

To stay or remain with someone. If you would like to rest for a while, you can abide with me. Well, someone should abide with you while you're sick, and I'm happy to do it. We'll abide with Grandma while you guys go into the store.

See also: abide

can't abide (someone or something)

To be unable or unwilling to tolerate someone or something due to an aversion or a strong sense of disgust or dislike. Ugh, I can't abide obnoxious people who always have to dominate the conversation. If you can't abide the sight of blood, maybe you shouldn't pursue a career in medicine. I'm going to break up with him—I just can't abide his selfishness any longer.

See also: abide

can't stomach (someone)

To be unable to tolerate someone due to an aversion or a strong sense of disgust or dislike for them. Ugh, I just can't stomach obnoxious guys who always have to dominate the conversation. He eventually quit because he just couldn't stomach his horrible boss any longer. I can't stomach people who are rude to waitresses and servers in restaurants. Does it really take that much effort to be considerate?

See also: stomach

can't stomach (something)

1. To be unable to digest or tolerate certain food without discomfort. I love living in India, but I can't stomach spicy food and it makes mealtimes here rather difficult. I just can't stomach rich, fatty foods like I did when I was younger. No milk for me, please. I'm lactose intolerant and just can't stomach dairy.

2. To be unable to tolerate something due to an aversion or a strong sense of disgust or dislike. I'm waiting to hear if I got into my first-choice school, but I can't stomach this uncertainty of not knowing! I could never be a doctor or nurse—I just can't stomach the sight of blood. Aunt Judy and Mom are arguing again? Ugh, I can't stomach all this tension.

3. To be unable to muster the courage, determination, or resolve to do, face, or experience something unpleasant. The military always sounded interesting as a means of traveling the world, but I couldn't stomach the thought of having to kill another person. I just can't stomach scary movies at all, but my girlfriend loves them. I can't stomach violent video games—these cutesy animal village games are more my thing.

See also: stomach

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

abide by something

to follow the rules of something; to obey someone's orders. John felt that he had to abide by his father's wishes.

See also: abide, by

abide with someone

to remain with someone; to stay with someone. (Old and stilted. Primarily heard in the church hymn Eventide.) You are welcome to abide with me for a while, young man.

See also: abide

can't stand (the sight of) someone or something

 and can't stomach someone or something

Fig. [to be] unable to tolerate someone or something; disliking someone or something extremely. (Also with cannot.) I can't stand the sight of cooked carrots. Mr. Jones can't stomach the sight of blood. None of us can stand this place. Nobody can stand Tom when he smokes a cigar.

See also: stand

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

abide by

Accept and act in accordance with a decision or set of rules; also, remain faithful to. For example, All members must agree to abide by the club regulations, or A trustworthy man abides by his word. An older sense of the verb abide, "remain," is still familiar in the well-known 19th-century hymn "Abide with Me," which asks God to stay with the singer in time of trouble. [Early 1500s]

See also: abide, by

can't stand

Also, can't abide or bear or stomach . Thoroughly dislike; be unable to put up with something or someone. For example, I can't stand the sight of her; she's obnoxious, or I can't bear to leave the country, or I can't stomach a filthy kitchen. The oldest of these synonymous expressions is can't abide, which Shakespeare used in 2 Henry IV (3:2): "She could not abide Master Shallow." Can't stand dates from the early 1600; can't bear dates from about 1700 and often but not always is used with an infinitive; can't stomach dates from the late 1600s and today is less common than the others.

See also: stand

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

abide by

To conform to; comply with: abide by the rules.

See also: abide, by

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.