2stick verb
sticks stuck 
/ˈstʌk/; stick·ing 1 always followed by an adverb or preposition a [+ obj] : to push (something usually sharp or pointed) into something
▪ He stuck a toothpick in/into the sandwich. ▪ The jacket was too thick to stick a pin through. ▪ The nurse stuck the needle into the patient's leg. ▪ Stick these candles in the birthday cake.
b [no obj] of something usually sharp or pointed : to go partly into something
▪ The thorn stuck in the dog's paw. ▪ The spears stuck into the ground. : to have a part that has been pushed into something : to be partly inside something ▪ The victim was found with a knife sticking out of her back. ▪ darts sticking out of the wall ▪ I saw a letter sticking (out) from his pocket. = I saw a letter sticking out of his pocket. 2 always followed by an adverb or preposition [+ obj] informal : to put (something or someone) in a specified place
▪ He stuck [=tucked] the pencil behind his ear. ▪ The dog stuck its head out the window. ▪ She stuck [=pushed] the letter under the door. ▪ She stuck [=reached] her hand into the box and pulled out a piece of paper. ▪ The librarian stuck [=put] the book back on its shelf. ▪ The little girl stuck her fingers in the batter. ▪ The photographer stuck the shorter people in the front row. ▪ The deer stuck its nose up in the air. ▪ He pointed the gun at me and said “stick 'em up.” [=put your hands up in the air] 3 a always used before an adverb or preposition [+ obj] informal : to attach (something) to a surface with glue, tape, pins, etc.
▪ She stuck two stamps on the letter. ▪ He stuck a note (up) on the door. ▪ She stuck the pieces of wood together with glue.
b [no obj] : to become attached to the surface of something
▪ The suction cup wouldn't stick. ▪ Several pages had stuck together. ▪ Spray the pan with oil to keep the biscuits from sticking. — often + to ▪ The peanut butter stuck to the knife. ▪ Magnets stick to steel. ▪ The glue had stuck to her fingers. 4 [no obj] : to become difficult or impossible to move from a place or position
▪ The door's handle has a tendency to stick. ▪ That door always sticks. ▪ Her foot stuck in the mud. ▪ A piece of food stuck [=lodged] in her throat. — often used figuratively ▪ His words stuck in my mind. [=I remembered his words] ▪ One of the kids called him “Stretch,” and the name stuck. [=everyone started calling him “Stretch”] ▪ You can charge them with fraud, but you'll need more evidence if you want to make it stick. [=if you want them to be legally punished for fraud] 5 [+ obj] Brit, informal : to deal with or accept (an unpleasant situation, experience, person, etc.) : stand — usually used in questions and negative statements with can, can't, cannot, could, and couldn't ▪ He couldn't stick the new job. ▪ How can you stick being there all the time? ▪ She can't stick his friends. [=she strongly dislikes his friends]
▪ He stuck a toothpick in/into the sandwich. ▪ The jacket was too thick to stick a pin through. ▪ The nurse stuck the needle into the patient's leg. ▪ Stick these candles in the birthday cake.
b [no obj] of something usually sharp or pointed : to go partly into something
▪ The thorn stuck in the dog's paw. ▪ The spears stuck into the ground. : to have a part that has been pushed into something : to be partly inside something ▪ The victim was found with a knife sticking out of her back. ▪ darts sticking out of the wall ▪ I saw a letter sticking (out) from his pocket. = I saw a letter sticking out of his pocket.
▪ He stuck [=tucked] the pencil behind his ear. ▪ The dog stuck its head out the window. ▪ She stuck [=pushed] the letter under the door. ▪ She stuck [=reached] her hand into the box and pulled out a piece of paper. ▪ The librarian stuck [=put] the book back on its shelf. ▪ The little girl stuck her fingers in the batter. ▪ The photographer stuck the shorter people in the front row. ▪ The deer stuck its nose up in the air. ▪ He pointed the gun at me and said “stick 'em up.” [=put your hands up in the air]
▪ She stuck two stamps on the letter. ▪ He stuck a note (up) on the door. ▪ She stuck the pieces of wood together with glue.
b [no obj] : to become attached to the surface of something
▪ The suction cup wouldn't stick. ▪ Several pages had stuck together. ▪ Spray the pan with oil to keep the biscuits from sticking. — often + to ▪ The peanut butter stuck to the knife. ▪ Magnets stick to steel. ▪ The glue had stuck to her fingers.
▪ The door's handle has a tendency to stick. ▪ That door always sticks. ▪ Her foot stuck in the mud. ▪ A piece of food stuck [=lodged] in her throat. — often used figuratively ▪ His words stuck in my mind. [=I remembered his words] ▪ One of the kids called him “Stretch,” and the name stuck. [=everyone started calling him “Stretch”] ▪ You can charge them with fraud, but you'll need more evidence if you want to make it stick. [=if you want them to be legally punished for fraud]
stick around
[phrasal verb] informal : to stay somewhere especially in order to wait for something or someone
▪ Stick around. The band should start playing soon. ▪ If you stick around, you can meet my girlfriend.
▪ Stick around. The band should start playing soon. ▪ If you stick around, you can meet my girlfriend.
stick at it
Brit, informal : to continue doing or trying to do something
▪ If you stick at it [=keep at it] long enough, you'll succeed.
▪ If you stick at it [=keep at it] long enough, you'll succeed.
stick at nothing
Brit, informal : to be willing to do anything in order to get or achieve something
▪ She'll stick at nothing [=stop at nothing] to get what she wants.
▪ She'll stick at nothing [=stop at nothing] to get what she wants.
stick a toe in the water — see 1toe
stick by [phrasal verb]
stick by (someone or something) : to continue to support or be loyal to (someone or something)
▪ The troops stuck by [=stood by] their general to the end. ▪ She stuck by [=stood by] her husband throughout the trial. ▪ I stick by my promise. [=I still will do what I promised] ▪ He stuck by what he said earlier.
▪ The troops stuck by [=stood by] their general to the end. ▪ She stuck by [=stood by] her husband throughout the trial. ▪ I stick by my promise. [=I still will do what I promised] ▪ He stuck by what he said earlier.
stick in your craw — see craw
stick it to (someone)
US, informal : to treat (someone) harshly or unfairly especially in order to get something for yourself (such as revenge or money)
▪ Her political rivals used the scandal as an opportunity to stick it to her. ▪ businesses that stick it to consumers by charging high fees ▪ The government is really sticking it to the taxpayers.
▪ Her political rivals used the scandal as an opportunity to stick it to her. ▪ businesses that stick it to consumers by charging high fees ▪ The government is really sticking it to the taxpayers.
stick like glue
informal 1 : to stay very firmly attached to something
▪ Wash the egg off before it dries, or it will stick like glue. — often used figuratively ▪ One of the kids called him “Stretch,” and the nickname stuck (to him) like glue. [=everyone started calling him by that nickname] 2 : to stay very close to someone
▪ Her dog always stuck to her like glue. ▪ The two friends stick (together) like glue.
▪ Wash the egg off before it dries, or it will stick like glue. — often used figuratively ▪ One of the kids called him “Stretch,” and the nickname stuck (to him) like glue. [=everyone started calling him by that nickname]
▪ Her dog always stuck to her like glue. ▪ The two friends stick (together) like glue.
stick out [phrasal verb] 1 : to extend outward beyond an edge or surface
▪ His ears stick out. [=they extend outward more than most people's ears] ▪ A peninsula sticks out from the shore into the bay. 2 stick out (something) or stick (something) out : to extend (something, such as a body part) outward
▪ She said “hello,” and stuck her hand out. ▪ He stuck out his chest and walked away. ▪ She was sitting with her feet stuck out in the aisle. ▪ Stick out your tongue and say “ah.” 3 : to be easily seen or recognized
▪ You will certainly stick out [=stand out] with that orange hat. 4 : to be better or more important than the other people or things in a group in a way that is easily seen or noticed
▪ Only one contestant really sticks out [=stands out] in my mind. ▪ Two facts stick out from her testimony. 5 stick out (something) or stick (something) out informal : to continue doing (something unpleasant or difficult)
▪ She stuck the job out for the remainder of the summer. ▪ Though the home team was down by 20 points, a few fans stuck it out [=stayed and watched the game] until the very end. 6 stick out for (something) Brit, informal : to refuse to accept or agree to something in order to get (something)
▪ The strikers are sticking out for [=holding out for] higher pay.
▪ His ears stick out. [=they extend outward more than most people's ears] ▪ A peninsula sticks out from the shore into the bay.
▪ She said “hello,” and stuck her hand out. ▪ He stuck out his chest and walked away. ▪ She was sitting with her feet stuck out in the aisle. ▪ Stick out your tongue and say “ah.”
▪ You will certainly stick out [=stand out] with that orange hat.
▪ Only one contestant really sticks out [=stands out] in my mind. ▪ Two facts stick out from her testimony.
▪ She stuck the job out for the remainder of the summer. ▪ Though the home team was down by 20 points, a few fans stuck it out [=stayed and watched the game] until the very end.
▪ The strikers are sticking out for [=holding out for] higher pay.
stick out like a sore thumb — see 1sore
stick to [phrasal verb]
stick to (something) : to continue doing or using (something) especially when it is difficult to do so
▪ She stuck to her story about the money already being missing when she got there. ▪ Please stick to the script/subject/rules. ▪ Stick to the marked trails. ▪ If you want to succeed, you've got to stick to it! [=keep trying, working, etc.] : to not change (a decision, belief, etc.) ▪ I intend to stick to my promise/word. ▪ She's sticking to her decision to retire.
▪ She stuck to her story about the money already being missing when she got there. ▪ Please stick to the script/subject/rules. ▪ Stick to the marked trails. ▪ If you want to succeed, you've got to stick to it! [=keep trying, working, etc.] : to not change (a decision, belief, etc.) ▪ I intend to stick to my promise/word. ▪ She's sticking to her decision to retire.
stick together
informal : to continue to support each other
▪ Families need to stick together.
▪ Families need to stick together.
stick to your guns — see 1gun
stick two fingers up at — see 1finger
stick up [phrasal verb] 1 : to extend upward above a surface
▪ The baby's hair sticks (straight) up. ▪ A large rock was sticking up in the middle of the river. 2 stick up for (someone) informal : to defend (someone) against attack or criticism
▪ He stuck up for his friend. ▪ She stuck up for herself. — see also stickup
▪ The baby's hair sticks (straight) up. ▪ A large rock was sticking up in the middle of the river.
▪ He stuck up for his friend. ▪ She stuck up for herself. — see also stickup
stick with
[phrasal verb] informal 1 stick with (something) : to continue using or doing (something)
▪ You need to find a job and stick with it. ▪ I'll stick with my usual brand. : to not change (a decision, belief, etc.) ▪ The company is sticking with its decision to close the store. 2 stick (someone) with (something or someone) : to force (someone) to deal with (something or someone unpleasant)
▪ They always stick me with the bill. [=make me pay the bill] ▪ The teacher always sticks me with Tom. — often used as (be/get) stuck with ▪ I was stuck with washing dishes. ▪ I got stuck with Tom again. 3 stick with (someone) a : to stay close to (someone) in a race or competition
▪ The challenger stuck with the champion until the very last round.
b : to stay near (someone) in order to gain knowledge, protection, etc.
▪ Stick with me, kid, and you'll learn something!
c : to be remembered by someone for a very long time
▪ The lessons she learned from that experience stuck with her.
▪ You need to find a job and stick with it. ▪ I'll stick with my usual brand. : to not change (a decision, belief, etc.) ▪ The company is sticking with its decision to close the store.
▪ They always stick me with the bill. [=make me pay the bill] ▪ The teacher always sticks me with Tom. — often used as (be/get) stuck with ▪ I was stuck with washing dishes. ▪ I got stuck with Tom again.
▪ The challenger stuck with the champion until the very last round.
b : to stay near (someone) in order to gain knowledge, protection, etc.
▪ Stick with me, kid, and you'll learn something!
c : to be remembered by someone for a very long time
▪ The lessons she learned from that experience stuck with her.
stick your head above the parapet — see parapet
stick your neck out — see 1neck
stick your nose in/into — see 1nose
stick your oar in — see oar
— see also stuck
