stick together

stay united and support each other, especially in difficult times

B2

What does "stick together" mean?

To stick together means to support one another and remain loyal as a group, particularly when things get hard. It captures the idea of people actively choosing to stay united — not drifting apart or turning against each other when faced with pressure or adversity. The phrase carries a strong sense of solidarity and shared commitment, suggesting that the group's bond is what helps them get through difficulties. You'll hear it a lot in sports contexts when a coach rallies a team, in family discussions about getting through tough times, and in political or community speeches about collective resilience. Unlike phrases that imply unity is barely holding, sticking together suggests willing, proactive loyalty — people genuinely looking out for each other.

Examples

How to use it

subject (group) + stick together

The most common pattern — a collective subject acts as the group showing mutual support, with no object needed.

The whole squad stuck together after their disappointing loss and came back stronger.

stick together + as + group noun

Adding 'as a team / family / community' specifies the shared identity that makes the unity meaningful.

We've always managed to stick together as a family, even when times were tough.

stick together + in / through + difficult situation

A time or circumstance phrase shows the challenging context in which the group stays united.

The neighbours stuck together through the long power cuts last winter.

need to / must / have to + stick together

Modal expressions of necessity are very natural with this verb, often used in rallying or motivational contexts.

If we're going to turn this season around, we have to stick together and trust each other.

imperative: stick together (+ no matter what)

The imperative is frequently used in speeches, pep talks, or moments of group encouragement.

Whatever happens tonight, stick together and look out for one another — no matter what.

Common Collocations

as a teamas a familyin tough timesno matter whatthrough a crisisas a community

Common Mistakes

Using an object after 'stick together'

This phrasal verb is intransitive — the group must be the subject, not the object of the verb. To express the idea of uniting a group, use 'bring together' or 'unite' instead.

✗ The manager tried to stick the team together before the final.
✓ The manager tried to bring the team together before the final. / The team stuck together before the final.
Confusing 'stick together' with 'hold together'

'Hold together' suggests that unity is fragile and under strain — the focus is on not falling apart. 'Stick together' emphasises active, willing loyalty and mutual support, so choose based on whether the group is barely surviving as a unit or actively backing each other up.

✗ The group was barely holding together through a spirit of mutual loyalty and encouragement.
✓ The group stuck together through a spirit of mutual loyalty and encouragement.
Using 'stick together' with an inanimate subject when you mean solidarity

With an inanimate subject (pages, pieces, fabric), 'stick together' means physically adhere — a completely different sense. Always use a human or group subject when you mean mutual support.

✗ The documents stuck together to get through the audit.
✓ The team stuck together to get through the audit.

Usage

This phrasal verb is neutral in register and works in both everyday conversation and more formal contexts like speeches or news articles. It is especially common in sport, politics, and family contexts when talking about unity during hard times.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can 'stick together' be used in the passive, like 'they were stuck together'?

No — because 'stick together' is intransitive in this sense, it cannot be made passive. There is no object to become the subject of a passive sentence. You always need a group as the active subject: 'they stuck together', not any passive form.

Does 'stick together' always mean showing mutual support? It sounds like it could mean something physical.

Good observation — it can mean both. With an inanimate subject (like pages or glued pieces), it means physically adhere. But when your subject is a group of people, it almost always means staying loyal and supporting each other. Context makes the meaning clear straight away.

What kinds of groups are typically the subject of 'stick together'?

The subject is almost always a group of people who share a common identity or goal — a team, a family, a community, a friendship group, or a nation. Pronouns like 'we' and 'they' work just as naturally. What matters is that the subject represents people with a bond, not isolated individuals.

Is 'stick together' only used when things are going badly?

It's most commonly used in the context of difficulty or pressure, since that's when solidarity really counts. However, it can also appear in a general sense of ongoing loyalty within a group. The connotation of facing challenges together is strong, so it tends to sound most natural in those contexts.

Can I use 'stick together' in a news article or more formal piece of writing?

Yes — 'stick together' is neutral in register and appears regularly in news media, opinion pieces, and political speeches, as well as everyday conversation. It's not slang or informal, so it's perfectly appropriate in semi-formal writing when discussing community resilience, team dynamics, or national unity.

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