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stick up

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stick someone or something up

to rob someone or a business establishment. (Presumably with the aid of a gun.) Max tried to stick the drugstore up. Max stuck up the store.

See also: stick, up

stick something up

 

1. to fasten something to a place where it can be seen; to put something on display, especially by gluing, tacking, or stapling. stick this notice up. Put a copy on every bulletin board. Please stick up this notice.

2. to raise something; to hold something up. she stuck her hand up because she knew the answer. The elephant stuck up its trunk and trumpeted.

See also: stick, up

stick up

to stand upright or on end; to thrust upward. The ugly red flower stuck up from the bouquet. Why is the worst-looking flower sticking up above all the rest?

See also: stick, up

stick up somebody/something

to steal from a person or place, using a weapon as a threat Some guy tried to stick up a coffee shop and got caught.

Related vocabulary: hold up somebody/something

See also: stick, up

stick up

1. Project from a surface, as in That little cowlick of his sticks up no matter what you do. [Early 1400s]

2. Put up a poster or notice, as in Will you stick up this announcement on the bulletin board? [Late 1700s]

3. Rob, especially at gunpoint, as in The gang concentrated on sticking up liquor stores and gas stations. This usage, dating from the mid-1800s, gave rise to the colloquial phrase, stick 'em up, a robber's order to a victim to raise his or her hands above the head. [1930s]

See also: stick, up

stick up

v.

1. To project or protrude upwards: When I woke up this morning my hair was sticking up.

2. To cause something to project or protrude upwards: The mayor stuck up her hands and waved to the crowd. Stick 'em up—this is a robbery!

3. To rob someone or something, especially at gunpoint: A robber stuck up the bank and stole thousands of dollars. Two people with shotguns walked into the store and stuck it up.

4. To post something with or as if with an adhesive: They stuck up posters all around the neighborhood. I stuck the photos up on my website.

5. stick up for To defend or support someone or something: I stuck up for my little brother whenever the other kids teased him. You should stick up for yourself and not let people spread rumors about you.

See also: stick, up