"I Stand Corrected" Meaning

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Idioms can be tricky to figure out, and the phrase “I stand corrected” is definitely a tough one. Maybe you’ve seen it in books or heard it in movies, but what does it really mean? When is it appropriate to use? Is it rude to say? You’ve got questions, and we’ve got the answers! Continue reading for a comprehensive breakdown of the meaning, situations you can use it in, and common confusions around this expression.

Section 1 of 5:

What does “I stand corrected” mean?

PDF download Download Article
  1. It’s a way of acknowledging your mistakes, and can refer to actions, words, or opinions. You can think of it as the more formal version of the modern slang phrase “my bad”. [1]
    • Another way to think about this phrase is to picture the literal image it describes – you are standing where you are, acknowledging that you are being corrected by someone or something.
    2. Advertisement
Section 2 of 5:

When to Say “I Stand Corrected”

PDF download Download Article
  1. This is the most common scenario. If you say an incorrect fact and one of your friends corrects you. You might reply with “I stand corrected” to acknowledge what you’d said was wrong, and to show you agree the new information they said is right. [2]
    • You: “There’s no way that movie has been out for more than 10 years!”
    • Your friend: “I just looked it up, it came out 12 years ago.”
    • You: “Well, I stand corrected then.”
  2. You can say this phrase even if no one corrects you, because sometimes the circumstances will correct you! Making predictions, bets, or quick assumptions will often lead to you saying “I stand corrected”. [3]
    • Perhaps you’d said you thought green juice was gross, but after trying it you find you like it a lot. Your previous opinion was proven wrong by the event of actually liking green juice. You could say “I stand corrected. Green juice is great!”
    • You predict it won’t storm, and then later that afternoon it does. Your prediction was proven wrong by the fact that it did rain. This is another situation where the phrase “I stand corrected” would work well.
    3. Advertisement


Section 3 of 5:

“I Stand Corrected” vs “I Stand to Be Corrected”

PDF download Download Article
  1. These two phrases are commonly confused with one another, but they mean pretty much the opposite thing. Whereas “I stand corrected” means to admit you’re wrong, “I stand to be corrected” means you might be wrong, but you haven’t been proven wrong yet. What a difference just two words can make to a phrase.
Section 4 of 5:

Is it rude to say “I stand corrected”?

PDF download Download Article
  1. All you’re doing is correcting your previous statements. However, remember, anything can be rude when said in an impolite tone, so make sure you're being genuine and not sarcastic when admitting you’re wrong.
    2. Advertisement
Section 5 of 5:

More Common Phrases to Know

PDF download Download Article
  1. The English language is full of useful sayings and expressions. Check out some of these common phrases that appear in everyday conversation and what they mean:
    • “Go get ‘em” : A casual way of saying “go get them” to offer encouragement and support to someone before an event or challenge.
    • “Tall drink of water” : A positive description for someone who’s tall and considered physically attractive.
    • “That’s a wrap” : A phrase that means “We’re finished” or that something ongoing has been finished or completed.
    • “Pun intended” : You intentionally made a pun (a play on words) and want to call attention to the joke.
    • “Humor me” : An expression that asks someone to go along with your ideas or listen to you in order to keep you happy.
    • “I got you” : You heard and understood something someone told you, or you are willing to help, support, or comfort someone.
    • “Winner winner, chicken dinner” : A phrase that celebrates victory or success, especially in a gambling or competition context.
    • “[That] threw me off” : Something has confused you or caught you off guard, disrupting your thoughts or expectations.

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      Diamond, Platinum & Golden Birthdays: What Are They?
      How to
      Change a Statement to Question
      How to
      Identify Parts of Speech
      How to
      Identify a Noun in a Sentence
      “Tall Drink of Water”: The Meaning & Origins of this Unique Expression
      How to
      Analyze a Quote
      What Does “That’s a Wrap” Mean?
      How to
      Practice Speaking English Alone
      What Does "Go Get Em" Mean?
      How to
      Capitalize a Book Title
      How to
      Speak Proper English
      What “That’s So Nice of You” Means and 30+ Other Ways to Say It
      How to
      Teach English Pronunciation
      How to
      Deconstruct a Text
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.youridioms.com/en/idiom/to-stand-corrected
      2. ↑ https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/i-stand-corrected
      3. ↑ https://www.dictionary.com/browse/stand-corrected

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 39,430 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement