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stay behind
/steɪ bɪˈhaɪnd/◆phrasal verb
to remain in a place after others have left
The teacher asked one student to stay behind after class.
The teacher wanted to speak to that student privately.
general
to remain in a place after others have left
A few employees stayed behind to finish the project.
They remained at work after their colleagues had gone home.
She stayed behind to clean up the room.
She remained in the room to tidy it up after everyone else left.
This phrase is commonly used in contexts where someone remains in a place after others have departed, often for a specific purpose.
military
to remain in a place while others move forward or leave
The soldiers were ordered to stay behind and guard the base.
They remained at the base to protect it while others went on a mission.
In military contexts, this phrase can refer to remaining in a position to provide support or defense.
Collocations
stay behind to helpto remain to assist othersstay behind after classto remain after a lesson for additional instruction or discussion
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Common Usage
The phrase 'stay behind' is often used in educational and workplace settings to indicate that someone will remain after others have left.
Gold Rule
Context Matters
The meaning of 'stay behind' can vary slightly depending on the context, so pay attention to the situation in which it is used.
Word Origin
The phrase 'stay behind' is a combination of the verb 'stay' (to remain in a place) and the preposition 'behind' (in a position that is further back). It has been used in English for centuries to describe the act of remaining in a place after others have left.
Usage Notes
This phrase is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It is often used to describe someone who remains in a place to complete a task, assist others, or for a specific reason.
Word Breakdown
stay
to remain in a place
rootbehind
in a position that is further back
prepositionEnglish Dictionary