IdiomDaily Life

English

stand someone up

Meaning: To fail to show up for a date or appointment, leaving the other person waiting.

Example: “He booked a table for two, then sat there for an hour after she stood him up.”

Origin: American slang recorded from about 1902: the person let down is left standing, watching the door for someone who never comes.

Equivalents in other languages

French: Poser un lapin Literally: To put down a rabbit

More English idioms

have bigger fish to fry To have more important things to deal with.
navel-gaze To be absorbed in oneself and one's own concerns to an excessive degree.
be a pain in the neck To be very annoying.
have one's cake and eat it too To want two things that cannot both be had.
muddy the waters To make a situation confusing, often on purpose.
be bone idle To be extremely lazy.

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