stand at attention
idiom
US
: to stand silently with the body stiff and straight, the feet together, and both arms at the sides
The troops stood at attention.
Examples of stand at attention in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
First responders stand at attention as the American flag is unfurled prior to an observance ceremony to honor the 184 people killed in the 9/11 attack at the Pentagon, at the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial on Sept. 11, 2023.
—
CBS News, 11 Sep. 2023
But today, many Thais no longer stand at attention when the royal anthem is played in public spaces such as movie theaters.
—Muktita Suhartono, New York Times, 12 May 2023
But today, many Thais no longer stand at attention when the royal anthem is played in public spaces such as movie theaters.
—Muktita Suhartono, New York Times, 12 May 2023
Three times a week at 7:20 a.m., flags are hoisted up poles resembling the mast of a ship, and cadets typically stand at attention in khakis for uniform and grooming inspection.
—Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2022
Tom Triplett will stand at attention.
—Thallman, oregonlive, 1 Apr. 2023
Cylindrical soldiers stand at attention, their uniforms a riot of color.
—Amy Drew Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 15 Sep. 2022
Behind a ring of warm-hued living room seats, rows of spines stand at attention — quiet participants waiting for their pages' ideas to be invoked in conversations.
—Domenica Bongiovanni, The Indianapolis Star, 30 Aug. 2022
The Kennedys stand at attention, a long row of Warhol portraits of Jackie behind them.
—New York Times, 27 Apr. 2022
CBS News, 11 Sep. 2023
But today, many Thais no longer stand at attention when the royal anthem is played in public spaces such as movie theaters.
—Muktita Suhartono, New York Times, 12 May 2023
But today, many Thais no longer stand at attention when the royal anthem is played in public spaces such as movie theaters.
—Muktita Suhartono, New York Times, 12 May 2023
Three times a week at 7:20 a.m., flags are hoisted up poles resembling the mast of a ship, and cadets typically stand at attention in khakis for uniform and grooming inspection.
—Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2022
Tom Triplett will stand at attention.
—Thallman, oregonlive, 1 Apr. 2023
Cylindrical soldiers stand at attention, their uniforms a riot of color.
—Amy Drew Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 15 Sep. 2022
Behind a ring of warm-hued living room seats, rows of spines stand at attention — quiet participants waiting for their pages' ideas to be invoked in conversations.
—Domenica Bongiovanni, The Indianapolis Star, 30 Aug. 2022
The Kennedys stand at attention, a long row of Warhol portraits of Jackie behind them.
—New York Times, 27 Apr. 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stand at attention.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near stand at attention
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“Stand at attention.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stand%20at%20attention. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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