Stand Up and Be Counted
Definition: To openly show your support for a cause or belief, even if it’s unpopular or requires courage.
Related Terms:
- Show one’s true colors: Reveal one’s real character or intentions.
- Take a stand: Adopt a firm position or course of action.
- Speak one’s mind: Express one’s opinions honestly.
- Put your money where your mouth is: Back up your words with actions.
- The courage of one’s convictions: Consistently live according to your beliefs.
Synonyms:
- Declare oneself
- Show one’s hand
- Make a stand
Antonyms:
- Stay silent
- Sit on the fence
- Play it safe
Humor-Filled Quotes:
- “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” — Oscar Wilde
- “It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not.” — André Gide
Proverbs:
- “Actions speak louder than words.”
- “Honesty is the best policy.”
Fascinating Facts & References:
- Literature: Michael Innes used this phrase in Appleby’s Answer (1973): “A mild-mannered man. But he felt he must stand up and be counted.”
- Books: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is an enduring tale of standing up for what’s right under great adversity.
- Songs: John Mayer’s “Say” encourages listeners to “Say what you need to say.”
- Movies: The film The Great Debaters depicts brave individuals who stand up for their beliefs against significant opposition.
- Poetry: Maya Angelou’s poem “Still I Rise” serves as a powerful testament to resilience and showing up in one’s truth.
Quizzes on Americanisms 🧠📚
### Which of the following expresses the act of bravely sharing one's opinion?
- [ ] Stay under the radar
- [ ] Bend over backwards
- [ ] Turn a blind eye
- [x] Stand up and be counted
> **Explanation:** “Stand up and be counted” is about openly expressing one’s beliefs, often courageously.
### Which phrase means to reveal one's real character or intentions?
- [ ] Keep skeletons in the closet
- [ ] Let the cat out of the bag
- [x] Show one’s true colors
- [ ] Paint the town red
> **Explanation:** “Show one’s true colors” means revealing your real self, as opposed to “keeping skeletons in the closet” (hiding secrets) or “letting the cat out of the bag” (revealing a secret).
### True or False: “Take a stand” and “Sit on the fence” have the same meaning.
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** “Take a stand” means to adopt a firm position, while “sit on the fence” means to remain neutral or undecided.
🤔 Remember, there’s great strength in being true to oneself and one’s convictions. Stand up, speak out, and be heard in the global conversation.
Inspirational Farewell: “Speak your mind, even if your voice shakes.” — Maggie Kuhn
Yours in wordy wonderment, Eleanor Wordsworth
