Your English: Phrasal verbs: stick

The phrasal verb stick to has many separate meanings, so it is perhaps best left for a separate article.

If something sticks out, it is easy to notice or remember because it is unusual or different, as in ‘Of all my memories of her, one in particular sticks out’. Stick out can also mean to continue doing something difficult or unpleasant to the end, as in ‘It was a tough course, but most of us stuck it out’, and sticking at a difficult or unpleasant task means continuing to work at it in a determined way, as in ‘Just stick at it and I’m sure it’ll get easier’. However, if you stick at nothing, you will do whatever is necessary to achieve your aims, even if it is illegal or cruel, as in ‘He’ll stick at nothing to get what he wants’.

If, on the other hand, you stick your neck out, you say something that could be wrong or could make other people react angrily, as in ‘I’m going to stick my neck out here and say that it isn’t the fault of the banks that we’re in this mess’.

If you get stuck in, you start doing something with a lot of energy or enthusiasm, as in ‘Well, there’s lots of work to be done so let’s get stuck in’.

If you stick around, you stay in a place for longer than you originally intended, especially in order to wait for something to happen, as in ‘If you stick around a bit, you might see some action!’ or ‘I think I’ll just stick around here for a while’.