stay behind

The phrase 'stay behind' is commonly used to describe remaining in a place while others leave, with specific uses in military and educational contexts.

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Definition

B1General

To remain in a place while others leave.

Example

  • She decided to stay behind after the meeting to ask a few more questions.

B2Education

To remain in a classroom or school after teaching ends, often for additional work or as a form of punishment.

Example

  • The student had to stay behind after class to complete his homework.

C1Military

(technical)A tactic where operatives remain in a location after it has been overrun by enemy forces to conduct intelligence or guerrilla operations.

Example

  • The special forces unit was ordered to stay behind and gather intelligence on enemy movements.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "stay behind":

stay backhang behindstand behindleave behindget behindstay infall behindkeep backstay onstand backrun behindhide behindstand byhang aroundhold backstand asidebe left at the posttrail behindlie behindtake a back seatstay at homefall backstick withmove backstay outhang aboutsit backstand stillstick tostand instep backstep asideback awaywatch one's backstay upcome aftercome awayhang onlay lowleave over