From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishstick by somebody/something phrasal verb1 FAITHFULto remain loyal to a friend when they have done something wrong or have problems I love him and, whatever happens, I’ll stick by him. Jean has stuck by her husband through thick and thin.2 PROMISEto do what you promised or decided to dostick by a decision/promise etc He has stuck by his radical plans for economic reform. → stick→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
stick by • Thass why I still stick by him.• Yet he stuck by his testimony that he found nearly a dozen anomalies in the Scull negative indicating possible tampering.• But as the story goes I try to stick by it.• The ability to make a good decision, support it, and stick by it.• They should have ability to make a good decision, support it, and stick by it.• If it is agreed that there is to be no magic, the teacher and the children must stick by their decision.• She made a plea to councillors representing the area to stick by their voters and ensure buses continue to serve the estate.• He stuck by Wallace a while, but he too has had regular spells as a sub and in the reserves too. 