Listening exercises with “Stand out”
To stand out means to be very noticeable or easy to see because of being different from everything or everyone else around you.
We use this phrasal verb when something or someone is clearly visible or attracts attention, usually because they have a distinctive quality that makes them different.
This can be positive (standing out because of talent or performance) or negative (standing out because you’re dressed inappropriately).
e.g. Her bright red coat really stood out in the crowd.
e.g. He stood out as the best candidate we interviewed.
e.g. I don’t want to stand out too much – I’d rather just blend in.
Common collocations
Stand out is often used with certain expressions that add emphasis or specify the context:
Stand out like a sore thumb = be very noticeable in an awkward or inappropriate way
e.g. I stood out like a sore thumb at the formal dinner in my casual clothes.
Stand out from the crowd = be noticeably different or better than others
e.g. To succeed in business, you need to stand out from the crowd.
Stand out a mile = be extremely obvious or easy to notice (British English)
e.g. His lack of experience stood out a mile during the presentation.
Stand out as [something] = be clearly identifiable as a particular type or quality
e.g. That performance stood out as the highlight of the entire festival.
Stand out against [something] = be visible in contrast to a background
e.g. The dark mountains stood out against the pale evening sky.
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