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Yyfroy Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

stand up tall and straight?

Please tell me what's the difference between "stand up tall" and "stand up straight"? There's a Sesame Street song named "I Stand Up Straight and Tall", which means there's some difference in position, right?
  

Top answer

"Straight and tall" is a collocation. It strikes me as very old. "Tall" used to mean something like "good-looking", applied to people, and I think some of that connotation clings to this expression.

— Enoon

  • "Straight and tall" is a collocation.
  • It strikes me as very old.
  • "Tall" used to mean something like "good-looking", applied to people, and I think some of that connotation clings to this expression.
  • " Webster's 1828 gives the "unusual" definition for tall "Sturdy; lusty; bold", which is nowadays impossible.
  • We don't normally say "stand up tall", it's "stand up straight".
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3 Answers
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"Straight and tall" is a collocation. It strikes me as very old. "Tall" used to mean something like "good-looking", applied to people, and I think some of that connotation clings to this expression. The AHD shows an archaic definition for tall: "Excellent; fine." Webster's 1828 gives the "unusual" definition for tall "Sturdy; lusty; bold", which is nowadays impossible.

We don't normally s
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Thank you, enoon, for your kindness!
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Depends upon which "B" movie script and if it is a western, a musical or other type of movie or live performance.

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