From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishstand up for somebody/something phrasal verbDEFENDto support or defend a person or idea when they are being attacked It’s time we stood up for our rights. Silvia is capable of standing up for herself. → stand→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
stand up for • She is standing up for herself when the system is not standing up for her.• If a chap hadn't the guts to stand up for his own beastliness where was he?• Civil and commercial litigation allows me to help a client stand up for his rights.• I forgot everything I ever knew about standing up for myself and, without argument, I slunk meekly into the night.• Women can form a communal bond quickly, but may be reluctant to stand up for their personal views.• They made girls stand up for themselves and neatness, grooming and deportment were important.• Age had not yet wearied them; they were well capable of standing up for themselves, so to speak.• Learn to be assertive, stand up for yourself and your own value. 