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stand over

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stand over someone or something

to hover over someone or something; to monitor or keep close watch on someone or something. Please don't stand over me while I work! Dave stood over the machine, making sure it did what it was supposed to do.

See also: stand

stand over somebody

to watch someone closely Had someone been standing over her while she slept or did she just imagine it?

See also: stand

stand over

1. Watch or supervise closely, as in I hate to cook when you're standing over me. [First half of 1300s]

2. Postpone, as in We'll have to let this budget item stand over till next year. [Early 1800s]

See also: stand

stand over

v.

1. To stand adjacent to and look down on someone or something: She stood over the chess board, contemplating her next move. He stood over the injured patients until help arrived.

2. To rise above someone or something: Big Ben stands over the Thames in London.

3. To watch or supervise someone or something closely: My boss is always standing over me.

4. To postpone something: We were tired of talking about the matter, so we stood it over until the following meeting.

See also: stand