standby
standby — 名詞
1. an object, piece of equipment, or other resource that is kept ready for use when
備用品
主要物品故障時可使用的替代品
an object, piece of equipment, or other resource that is kept ready for use whenever the usual item fails or cannot be obtained.
The hospital keeps a standby generator in case the main power supply fails.
醫院備有一臺備用發電機，以防主電源供應中斷。
collocation: standby generator / standby equipment
When her laptop battery died, Anya took out the paper notebook she carries as a standby.
Anya 的筆記型電腦電池沒電時，她拿出了隨身攜帶的紙本筆記本作為備用。
Every kitchen should have a few cans of soup as a quick standby for busy nights.
每個廚房都應該準備幾罐湯品，當作忙碌夜晚的快速備用選擇。
The fire station keeps a standby vehicle available whenever the main engine is being repaired.
消防隊在主引擎維修期間，都會備有一輛備用車輛。
- backup
more common in computing and general contexts; less formal
- reserve
suggests a stored supply rather than an immediate replacement
- substitute
focuses on the idea of replacement rather than readiness
- primary
the main item that is normally used
文法句型
standby + noun
a standby
用法筆記
Commonly combines with nouns that name equipment: standby generator, standby battery, standby vehicle. When used attributively (a standby plan), the hyphenated form stand-by is also possible in British English.
常見錯誤
2. a state in which a person or group is ready and available to act or be used imme
待命；戒備
人員或團隊處於準備行動的狀態
a state in which a person or group is ready and available to act or be used immediately if needed, especially during an emergency or a busy work period.
The ambulance crew was on standby outside the concert hall in case of any medical emergencies.
救護人員在音樂廳外待命，以備發生任何醫療緊急狀況。
phrase: on standby + for [event]
Christopher kept three extra nurses on standby during the night shift at the hospital.
Christopher 在醫院的夜班期間安排了三名額外的護理師待命。
All flights were cancelled, and the airport put a team of customer service agents on standby.
所有航班都取消了，機場安排了一組客服人員待命。
The rescue team remained on standby until the storm passed and the roads were safe again.
救援隊一直待命，直到暴風雨過去、道路恢復安全為止。
- off duty
not working or available
文法句型
on standby
put/keep someone on standby
用法筆記
Used almost exclusively in the fixed phrase on standby, which functions as a complement after verbs such as be, keep, put, and place. Subject is typically a person, a team, or an emergency-service unit.
常見錯誤
3. a low-power condition of a television, computer, or similar appliance: the power
待機
電子設備的低耗電狀態
a low-power condition of a television, computer, or similar appliance: the power supply remains connected, but the device is not fully active and must be woken by pressing a button or remote control.
Leaving the television on standby all night wastes more electricity than many people realise.
讓電視整晚處於待機狀態所浪費的電力，比許多人想像的還多。
phrase: leave [device] on standby
Élise pressed the power button, but the screen stayed black because it was still in standby mode.
Élise 按了電源鍵，但電腦螢幕仍然漆黑，因為它還處在待機模式。
collocation: standby mode
Most modern game consoles download updates while in standby instead of fully turned off.
大多數現代遊戲主機在待機模式下會下載更新，而非完全關機。
The printer automatically enters standby after ten minutes of no activity.
印表機在閒置十分鐘後會自動進入待機狀態。
- sleep mode
more common for computers and mobile devices; implies the device can wake quickly
- idle
describes a device that is on but not actively processing any task
- active
the device is fully on and functioning
文法句型
on standby
leave [device] on standby
in standby mode
用法筆記
Distinguish from noun sense 2 — sense 2 applies to people and organisations, while sense 3 applies only to electronic devices. Home appliances in standby mode still consume a small amount of electricity, sometimes called vampire power.
4. the situation in which a passenger waits at an airport or theatre hoping to get
候補
旅客等候航班或演出有空位
the situation in which a passenger waits at an airport or theatre hoping to get a seat that opens up shortly before departure or the start of a performance, usually at a reduced price.
Ravindra waited on standby for three hours before a seat opened on the Tokyo flight.
Ravindra 在登機門候補等了三個小時，才終於等到飛往東京的航班空位。
phrase: on standby for [flight]
Students with flexible schedules often travel standby because the tickets are cheaper than regular fares.
時間彈性的學生通常會選擇候補搭機，因為票價比一般機票便宜很多。
phrase: travel standby
The airline does not guarantee a seat if you book as a standby passenger.
如果您以候補乘客身分訂位，航空公司不保證一定有位子。
Four standby travellers were called to the counter just before the boarding gate closed.
四名候補旅客在登機門即將關閉前被叫到櫃檯。
- standby basis
the arrangement under which standby travel operates
- go-show
airline industry term for passengers without a reservation who show up and wait
- confirmed
a reservation that guarantees a seat
文法句型
on standby for [flight/performance]
travel/fly standby
用法筆記
Common in airline and theatre contexts. A passenger on standby is not confirmed for a seat until just before departure or showtime. Some airlines allow standby only for flexible or staff travel.
常見錯誤
5. a discounted ticket offered shortly ahead of a departure or show, usable only if
候補票
出發前釋出的廉價機票或演出票
a discounted ticket offered shortly ahead of a departure or show, usable only if a previously booked seat becomes free.
Kian bought a standby for the evening show when a family of four cancelled their seats.
Kian 成功買到了一張晚間演出的候補票，因為有一家四口取消了座位。
The woman at the counter said standbys are only sold after confirmed passengers have boarded.
櫃檯人員解釋說，候補票要等所有已確認的乘客都登機後才會販售。
countable noun: standbys (plural)
Standbys for popular Broadway musicals are extremely hard to find on weekends.
熱門百老匯音樂劇的候補票在週末極難買到。
Sumin bought a standby for the late flight and saved nearly half the normal price.
Sumin 買了一張晚班機的候補票，省下了將近一半的票價。
- standby ticket
the full form of the same noun
- reduced fare
a broader category that includes standby tickets but also other discounts
- confirmed ticket
a regular ticket that guarantees a seat
文法句型
a standby
buy/use a standby
用法筆記
This sense is distinct from noun sense 4 — sense 4 describes the waiting situation, while sense 5 refers to the actual ticket itself. In everyday speech, standby is often short for standby ticket.
standby — 形容詞
1. kept available and ready to be used immediately in place of the main item, espec
備用；候補
準備好隨時替代主要物品的
kept available and ready to be used immediately in place of the main item, especially in case of failure or emergency.
The office maintains a standby generator that starts automatically if the main power goes out.
辦公室備有一臺備用發電機，一旦主電源中斷就會自動啟動。
attributive: standby + noun
A standby battery pack can keep your phone running during a long hike.
備用電池可以讓你的手機在長途健行中持續運作。
The pilot requested a standby aircraft in case the engine inspection revealed a problem.
機長要求準備一架備用飛機，以防引擎檢查發現問題。
Wren always packs a standby pair of glasses in her bag when she travels overseas.
Wren 出國旅行時，總是在包包裡放一副備用眼鏡。
The event organisers arranged a standby tent in case of sudden rain.
活動主辦單位準備了一頂備用帳篷，以防突然下雨。
文法句型
standby + noun
用法筆記
This adjective is used only before a noun (attributive position). You can say a standby ticket but NOT the ticket is standby. For predicative use, use the phrase on standby instead (e.g. the generator is on standby).
常見錯誤
standby — 副詞
1. without a confirmed reservation, relying on the possibility that a seat or place
以候補方式
無確認訂位，等待空位出現
without a confirmed reservation, relying on the possibility that a seat or place will become available at the last moment.
Mauricio's mother flew standby from Chicago to New York because her schedule was flexible.
由於行程彈性，Mauricio 的母親以候補方式從芝加哥飛往紐約，只花了六十美元。
pattern: fly/travel/go standby
The airline allows employees to travel standby on any flight with empty seats.
這家航空公司允許員工以候補方式搭乘任何有空位的航班。
Passengers who book standby must check in at the gate and wait to be called.
以候補方式訂位的旅客必須在登機門報到並等候叫號。
If you fly standby, you can save a lot of money on domestic trips.
如果你願意以候補方式搭機，國內旅行可以省下不少錢。
- on a standby basis
the fuller, more formal version of the same meaning
- confirmed
with a guaranteed reservation
文法句型
fly/travel/go standby
standby [verb]
用法筆記
Standby as an adverb appears almost exclusively in travel and airline contexts, immediately following verbs such as fly, travel, go, and book. It is far more common in American English than in British English.
standby — 動詞
1. to be physically present in a particular place, especially in a situation that r
在場；列席
正式在特定地點出現
to be physically present in a particular place, especially in a situation that requires attention or official observation.
The security officer was asked to standby at the entrance during the ambassador's speech.
安全人員被要求在大使演講期間在入口處列席。
pattern: standby at [place]
A court reporter must standby in the courtroom throughout the entire trial.
法庭記錄員必須在審判全程列席旁聽。
A delegate from each department will standby near the stage to answer questions from the audience.
各部門將派一名代表在舞臺旁列席，以便回答觀眾提問。
The soldiers were ordered to standby at their posts until further notice.
士兵們奉命在崗位上待命，直到接到進一步指示。
- stand by
the common two-word phrasal verb; less formal
文法句型
standby + at/in/near [place]
用法筆記
This verb sense is formal and relatively rare. In most everyday situations, the phrasal verb stand by (two words) is used instead. The one-word form standby as a verb appears mainly in military, legal, and official contexts.
常見錯誤
2. to prepare yourself or to be in a state of readiness to take action when needed.
戒備
準備好隨時採取行動
to prepare yourself or to be in a state of readiness to take action when needed.
The medical team was told to standby for a possible emergency landing at the airport.
醫療小組接到通知，準備在機場因應可能的緊急降落。
pattern: standby for [event]
The fire brigade will standby to assist if the chemical leak spreads beyond the factory walls.
消防隊將待命協助，以防化學物質洩漏擴散到工廠圍牆外。
pattern: standby to [verb]
All available officers were instructed to standby until the situation was fully assessed.
所有可調度的警員都接到指示，在情況完全評估之前保持戒備。
The rescue helicopter crew standby ready to launch within five minutes of receiving a call.
救援直升機組員隨時戒備，接獲通報後五分鐘內即可出動。
- stand down
to end a state of readiness and return to normal duties
文法句型
standby for [event/action]
standby to do something
用法筆記
The phrasal verb stand by is far more common in everyday English. The one-word form is restricted to formal, institutional, or military-style instructions. When used in imperative form (Standby for launch!), it is a clipped command.
3. to actively support or defend a particular idea, belief, principle, or decision,
支持；捍衛
維護某個信念或決定
to actively support or defend a particular idea, belief, principle, or decision, especially when it is being questioned or attacked.
The senator chose to standby her original proposal despite strong criticism from the opposition party.
該參議員選擇捍衛她最初提出的提案，儘管遭遇反對黨的強烈批評。
pattern: standby + [belief/decision]
Kofi stood by his team's decision, though several board members disagreed.
Kofi 支持他團隊的決定，儘管幾位董事會成員表示反對。
The newspaper editorial called on readers to standby the principles of free speech and open debate.
該報的社論呼籲讀者捍衛言論自由與公開辯論的原則。
The committee decided to standby its earlier ruling after reviewing the new evidence.
委員會在審查新證據後，決定維持先前的裁決。
文法句型
standby + noun phrase (belief/principle/decision)
用法筆記
The phrasal verb stand by (two words) is the dominant form for this meaning in modern English. The one-word form standby appears mostly in formal written texts and official statements. The object is typically an abstract noun such as belief, principle, decision, or promise.
4. to act in accordance with what a promise, commitment, or agreement requires, doi
信守；履行
按照承諾或協議的要求去做
to act in accordance with what a promise, commitment, or agreement requires, doing what you said you would do.
The company promised to standby its commitment to reduce carbon emissions by the decade's end.
該公司承諾信守在十年內減少碳排放的承諾。
pattern: standby + [promise/commitment]
Anong stood by her word and returned the money she had borrowed within the agreed time.
Anong 信守諾言，在約定的時間內歸還了所借的錢。
Both nations agreed to standby the terms of the peace treaty signed five years ago.
兩國都同意遵守五年前簽署的和平條約條款。
A person who fails to standby a formal contract may face legal consequences.
未能履行正式合約的人可能會面臨法律後果。
文法句型
standby + noun phrase (promise/word/agreement)
用法筆記
Distinguish from verb/3: verb/3 is about supporting a belief or decision that is being challenged, while verb/4 is about fulfilling a promise you have already made. This sense is quite formal; in everyday language, keep a promise or honour an agreement are more natural alternatives.
常見錯誤
5. to continue to support someone and remain loyal to them, especially during a dif
支持；不離棄
在困難時期仍忠於某人
to continue to support someone and remain loyal to them, especially during a difficult period when others may abandon them.
Matthew promised to standby his partner through every challenge, no matter how hard things got.
Matthew 承諾在另一半面臨任何挑戰時都會不離不棄，無論情況多麼艱難。
pattern: standby + person (in difficult times)
Her closest friends stood by her when the scandal broke and the media turned against her.
當醜聞爆發、媒體群起攻擊時，她最親近的朋友仍然支持她。
A good leader is someone who will standby their team even when the project hits serious problems.
好的領導者會支持自己的團隊，即使專案遭遇嚴重問題也不動搖。
The old teacher's former students stood by him and helped pay for his medical treatment.
那位老老師以前的學生們都支持他，並幫助支付他的醫療費用。
- stand by
the common phrasal verb; correct in all registers
- support
more general; can be emotional, financial, or practical
- stick with
informal; to remain loyal or continue supporting
文法句型
standby + person
用法筆記
The phrasal verb stand by (two words) is the standard form for this meaning in all registers. The one-word verb form is exceptionally rare; learners are strongly advised to use the phrasal verb instead. The object is always a person or group of people.