can't stand

(redirected from can't bear)
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Related to can't bear: cannot bear

can't stand (someone or something)

Cannot tolerate someone or something due to an aversion or a strong sense of disgust or dislike. Ugh, I can't stand obnoxious guys who always have to dominate the conversation. I could never be a doctor or nurse—I just can't stand the sight of blood. Now I'm just waiting to hear if I got into my first-choice school, and the uncertainty is killing me. I can't stand it!
See also: stand

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

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
References in periodicals archive ?
For those that don't make the cut, but you can't bear to toss into your blue bin, there may be another option.
Gasoline, Magazine Waste and Kids' Minds
"I can't bear the tension," she said, "as one win will make the difference and I look short of runners at present.
10 to follow: Nervous days ahead for Wallis
And when something lifts within her toward a light she's sure, once again, she can't bear, she opens her eyes and sees his face is turned away, one arm behind him, hand splayed palm down on the mattress, to brace himself so he can lever his hips, touch with the bright tip the innermost spot.
The lovers
You get the sense that Coll and Vise are trying so hard to prove they cracked the SEC that they can't bear to leave any of their hard-won discoveries on the cutting-room floor.
Eagle on the Street
I can't bear losing you have been through thick Natasha Step-dad Bob Bailey told the M.E.N.
Tributes to death-crash mum-of-five
I've not got any children - and have no intention at my age - and I know it's got a lovely ending but I can't bear the pain.
ON THE SOFA WITH; THE CRUISE STAR, 54, STAYS UP ALL NIGHT IN THE LINE OF DUTY
And club chairwoman Carol Anne Stewart admits she can't bear to contemplate a trip like Celtic.
City fear a Kazakh Euro trip like Celts
The ground with its new name (still can't bear to write it) could be in Timbuctoo.
Wor Jackie would turn in his grave; Views of the North
.WOMEN have 22 pieces of clothing hanging in their wardrobe that they don't wear but can't bear to throw away.
WOMEN have 22 pieces [...]
THE least surprising quote of the week comes from omnipresent John Barrowman, who says: "Often actors say they can't bear to watch themselves on TV, but I'm not like that - I love watching myself!" Course you do, John, because no-one loves you more than yourself.
THE least surprising quote of [...]
I can't bear the disillusionment of seeing our heroes failing to belt out our anthem.
Oh! the shame; LETTERS
He reports: "My incredibly hard-working staff can't bear the thought of me having any spare time." And Lord Hunt had to be up at 2.30am on Monday too.
In need of more energy
TOUGH guys who can't bear to ditch their mighty gas guzzlers should check out this Jeep - an eco-friendly monster that won't ruin your street cred.
Jeepers creepers it's eco friendly
She said: "If it's good and tolerable, that's fine, but I can't bear a lot of that noisy jazz.
Still in tune with life at 100
Jack knows that inventing intelligent bots is illegal, but when the bot, who names himself Waldo, helps the duo out of a tight jam, Jack can't bear to betray the girl and her companion.
Bechard, Margaret. Spacer and Rat
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