to stick by

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

1.To adhere; as, glue sticks to the fingers; paste sticks to the wall. [1913 Webster]

The green caterpillar breedeth in the inward parts of roses not blown, where the dew sticketh.— Bacon.[1913 Webster]

2.To remain where placed; to be fixed; to hold fast to any position so as to be moved with difficulty; to cling; to abide; to cleave; to be united closely. [1913 Webster]

A friend that sticketh closer than a brother.— Prov. xviii. 24.[1913 Webster]

I am a kind of bur; I shall stick.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

If on your fame our sex a bolt has thrown, 'T will ever stick through malice of your own.— Young.[1913 Webster]

3.To be prevented from going farther; to stop by reason of some obstacle; to be stayed. [1913 Webster]

I had most need of blessing, and "Amen" Stuck in my throat.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

The trembling weapon passed Through nine bull hides, . . . and stuck within the last.— Dryden.[1913 Webster]

4.To be embarrassed or puzzled; to hesitate; to be deterred, as by scruples; to scruple; -- often with at. [1913 Webster]

They will stick long at part of a demonstration for want of perceiving the connection of two ideas.— Locke.[1913 Webster]

Some stick not to say, that the parson and attorney forged a will.— Arbuthnot.[1913 Webster]

5.To cause difficulties, scruples, or hesitation. [1913 Webster]

This is the difficulty that sticks with the most reasonable.— Swift.[1913 Webster]

To stick by. (a) To adhere closely to; to be firm in supporting. "We are your only friends; stick by us, and we will stick by you." --Davenant. (b) To be troublesome by adhering. "I am satisfied to trifle away my time, rather than let it stick by me." --Pope.

To stick out. (a) To project; to be prominent. "His bones that were not seen stick out." --Job xxxiii. 21. (b) To persevere in a purpose; to hold out; as, the garrison stuck out until relieved. [Colloq.]

To stick to, to be persevering in holding to; as, to stick to a party or cause. "The advantage will be on our side if we stick to its essentials." --Addison.

To stick up, to stand erect; as, his hair sticks up.

To stick up for, to assert and defend; as, to stick up for one's rights or for a friend. [Colloq.]

To stick upon, to dwell upon; not to forsake. "If the matter be knotty, the mind must stop and buckle to it, and stick upon it with labor and thought." --Locke. [1913 Webster]