Have you seen the phrase 'stand up guy' and would like to have more context behind the origin or meaning of the saying? 'Stand up guy' is a compliment, and means that someone will often stand up for others' rights. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this popular saying.
Meaning
The phrase 'stand up guy' is one that is most commonly used as a compliment.
To call someone a 'stand up guy' means that that they are a good person, or that they have good values. The phrase implies that a 'stand up guy' is someone who stands up for their own rights, or the rights of someone else in need.
The phrase is used on its own, and it can be used as a direct speech reference or as a reference when speaking to someone in conversation.
The phrase can be altered in several ways to create a sentence that is still valid: several people can be referred to as 'stand up guys' by the speaker. Someone can also be called 'a stand up type of guy' and the meaning of the phrase would still be the same, even though it is a more unusual use of the saying.
The phrase can be used to deny that someone is a 'stand up guy' and be used to imply that someone is not.
Sometimes the phrase 'stand up guy' can be used in a sarcastic or ironic way to point out that someone is the opposite. When the phrased is used in this way, the context is most normally apparent from what has been said.
One possible incorrect use of the phrase would be to say that someone is a 'stands up guy' which would render a phrase that makes no sense.
Example Usage
“Wow, I can't believe that he just used up all three of those parking spots. He's a real stand up guy, isn't he?”
“That's not the kind of thing that a stand up guy would do to his girlfriend. You ask before you surprise them with something like that.”
“People at the bar really liked my father. Maybe he was a great guy, or maybe he just liked to buy drinks for everyone.”
“If you want to be seen as a really stand up guy, then you should just learn how to be nice to everyone around you. That's what it's all about. That and money.”
Origin
According to most online language resources, the origin of the phrase 'stand up guy' can be traced back to the early 19th century.
The phrase 'stand up guy' refers to someone who would stand up to be enlisted amongst people who would fight on one side or another. The people who were 'standing up' where thus the ones who were selected to battle alongside the others.
Most modern usages of the phrase forgets the militarized meaning of the term, and simply uses the phrase to mean that someone is an ally.
Most language resources agree that the origin of 'stand up guy' is from US English, and that the phrase is most common in US English.
Phrases Similar to Stand Up Guy
- A man after my own heart
Phrases Opposite to Stand Up Guy
- N/a
What is the Correct Saying?
- [he's a] stand up guy
[they are] stand up guys
Ways People May Say Stand Up Guy Incorrectly
There are several ways in which someone might use the phrase 'stand up guy' in the wrong way, or misunderstand the meaning of the term.
A 'stand up guy' is not a literal term, but a figurative one that refers to their kinship or friendship relative to a situation or statement.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Stand Up Guy
The correct way to use the phrase 'stand up guy' is to use the term to refer to someone who is a friend or ally in a situation.
Someone can say '[you're/they're/someone is] a stand up guy', or someone can say 'stand up guys' as an acceptable use of the phrase.