stand by

verb

1. To wait in expectation of some event; to be ready.

   “Please stand by for more instructions.”

   “It had been his intention to go to Wimbledon, but as he himself said: “Why be blooming well frizzled when you can hear all the results over the wireless.[…]You stand by, Janet, and wake me up if they do any of that running commentary stuff.””

2. To remain loyal or faithful to.

   “Even though money is scarce sometimes, Ann stands by her decision to be a full-time mother.”

   “[W]hen a Hamas spokesman recently stood by his statement that Jews used the blood of non-Jewish children for their matzos – one of the oldest anti-Semitic canards around – European elites were largely silent.”

3. To support; to continue to support despite things being bad.

   “They stood by us all along and it's awesome to see them out here to support us today.”

4. To do nothing. To be inactive in a situation.

   “I can't simply stand by and watch you ruin your life.”