stick up

point upwards above a surface

B2

What does "stick up" mean?

This sense of 'stick up' describes something physical that points or projects upward above a surface — often when it shouldn't, or when it stands out from what's around it. It's commonly used to talk about hair that won't lie flat, nails poking out of wood, wires rising above a surface, or plants pushing up through the ground. The thing doing the projecting is always the grammatical subject: the hair, the nail, the antenna. Notice that nothing can be placed between 'stick' and 'up' because there is no object — the verb works on its own. In more formal or technical writing, 'protrude' or 'project' are sometimes preferred, but 'stick up' is the natural everyday choice in conversation and informal writing.

Examples

How to use it

subject (physical thing) + stick up

The most common structure — the thing projecting upward is the subject, and no object follows the verb.

One corner of the carpet sticks up and keeps catching my foot.

subject + stick up + locative phrase

Adding a phrase showing where or above what the subject is projecting makes the spatial meaning more precise.

A rusted wire was sticking up through the wooden decking.

subject + stick up + from/above + surface

Use 'from' or 'above' to specify the surface or base from which the subject projects.

Several weeds were sticking up from the gravel between the paving stones.

subject + have + object + sticking up

This structure allows you to describe a part of something that is projecting, using 'have' with the projecting thing as its object.

He arrived at the meeting with a tuft of hair sticking up at the back.

Common Collocations

hair sticks upnail sticks upantenna sticks upwire sticks uptail sticks up

Common Mistakes

Confusing 'stick up' with 'stick out'

'Stick up' specifically describes upward projection, while 'stick out' describes something protruding horizontally or being conspicuous in a general sense. The direction is the key difference.

✗ His collar was sticking up from the crowd.
✓ His collar was sticking up at the back. / He was sticking out in the crowd.
Trying to add an object

In this sense, 'stick up' is intransitive — it cannot take an object. The thing projecting upward must be the subject of the sentence, not an object after the verb.

✗ The wind sticks up her hair.
✓ Her hair sticks up in the wind.
Confusing it with the 'rob' sense

A completely different sense of 'stick up' means to rob someone at gunpoint and is transitive (e.g. 'stick up a bank'). When 'stick up' means to project upward, the subject is always a physical thing like hair or a nail, and there is no object.

Usage

This is a neutral, everyday expression used more in spoken English and informal writing. In formal or technical contexts, 'protrude' or 'project' are more common alternatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can 'stick up' be used in the passive, like 'the nail was stuck up'?

No — in this sense, 'stick up' is intransitive, which means it cannot be made passive. The nail, wire, or hair that is projecting upward must always be the grammatical subject: 'A nail was sticking up through the floor,' not 'The floor was stuck up by a nail.'

What kinds of subjects are most natural with this sense of 'stick up'?

The subject is almost always something thin, pointed, or relatively small — things like hair, nails, wires, antennas, spikes, feathers, or plants. It's less natural with large, bulky, or abstract things. If you want to describe something abstract or conspicuous, 'stand out' is usually a better choice.

Does 'stick up' always suggest something is wrong or untidy?

Not always, but there is often a hint of something being out of place or not quite flat — like bedhead or a loose nail. It can also be completely neutral, describing a natural feature like an antenna on a roof or a branch above a hedge, without any suggestion of a problem.

Is there a more formal word I can use instead of 'stick up' in this sense?

'Protrude' and 'project' are the most common formal alternatives, and both work well in technical or academic writing. 'Extend upward' is another option. In everyday conversation, though, 'stick up' sounds the most natural.

Can I use 'sticking up' as an adjective before a noun, like 'sticking-up hair'?

This is very unusual and would sound awkward to most native speakers. It's much more natural to use it as part of a verb phrase: 'hair that sticks up' or 'hair sticking up at the back.' If you need a single adjective, words like 'upright' or 'spiky' are more idiomatic.

Ready to practise?

Practise 1,000+ English phrasal verbs with interactive gap-fill exercises.

Start Practising →