{"id":6747,"date":"2022-08-01T18:09:36","date_gmt":"2022-08-01T18:09:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/?p=6747"},"modified":"2022-08-01T18:09:36","modified_gmt":"2022-08-01T18:09:36","slug":"stand-back-and-stand-by-meaning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/stand-back-and-stand-by-meaning\/","title":{"rendered":"Stand Back and Stand By \u2013 Meaning, Origin and Usage"},"content":{"rendered":"

Did someone just tell you to \u2018stand back and stand by<\/em>?\u201d What do they mean? Do they want you to go home? This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.<\/p>\n

Meaning<\/h2>\n

The expression \u2018stand back and stand by<\/em>\u2019 comes from a speech by Donald Trump.\u00a0 In the context of Donald Trump's speech, \u2018stand back and stand by\u2019<\/em> means to wait until you receive orders before taking action. Without orders, you are not to take any action and await instructions.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Since \u2018stand back and stand by\u2019<\/em> is framed as an order, it suggests there are consequences for disobeying this command.<\/p>\n

Example Usage<\/h2>\n

\u201cProud Boys, stand back and stand by. Wait for my signal to start the invasion and make it happen.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStand back and stand by, officer. We could get the call in a minute. Don\u2019t let them catch you slipping, or it\u2019s your job.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have to stand back and stand by. I don\u2019t know what the president means by that, but let's just chill and see what happens.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStand back and stand by? What does he mean? I\u2019m ready to rush the capital right now. Let\u2019s do this!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t seriously think he was talking to the Proud Boys and asking them to take action? He\u2019s a buffoon and doesn\u2019t know what he\u2019s talking about.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no way the Proud boys are going to listen. We better notify Antifa and get ready for battle.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\" \"\"<\/p>\n

Origin<\/h2>\n

The expression 'stand back and stand bay' originates from the presidential debate between Democratic nominee Joe Biden and GOP nominee Donald Trump in 2020. Fox News anchor Chris Wallace, who was moderating the discussion, asked Trump to denounce white supremacy and white supremacy militia groups.<\/p>\n

Trump replied, asking Wallace to \"give me a name.\" Biden mentioned the Proud Boys, a 'hate group' categorized by the Southern Poverty Law Center. In response, Trump said the following.<\/p>\n

\"Proud Boys, stand back and stand by.\"<\/p>\n

However, Trump's reply was not what the media wanted to hear, painting him as in support of the Proud Boys. NBC News reported the following in the wake of Trump's statement.<\/p>\n

\"The Proud Boys, a far-right extremist group, pledged allegiance to President Donald Trump on Tuesday night after he told the group to \"stand back and stand by\" during the first presidential debate.\"<\/p>\n