From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishsomebody/something could stand somethingsomebody/something could stand somethingSHOULD/OUGHT TOused to say very directly that it would be a good idea for someone to do something or for something to happen His smile exposed teeth that could stand a good scrubbing.somebody could stand to do something My doctor told me I could stand to lose a few pounds. → stand
Examples from the Corpus
somebody could stand to do something• Not many people could stand to be second fiddle for as long as Kerri was.• Mrs Fanning also stood up and said she could stand to leave behind a little something.• And I guess, yeah, we could stand to read more. 