- Describes a person (guy=man, gal=woman) who is honest, reliable, trustworthy, honorable, and morally upright.
- Someone dependable who acts with integrity, especially in difficult situations.
Explanation
Origin
The term likely relates metaphorically to:
- Standing up for one's principles or for others.
- Standing up to be counted, meaning reliable and present when needed.
Popularized in American English around the mid-20th century.
Gal is an informal, somewhat dated term for a woman or girl, corresponding to guy.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Solid (Implies reliable, dependable, good quality)
- Sound (UK/Irish slang for reliable, decent, good)
- A real mensch (Borrowed from Yiddish, means a person of integrity and honor)
- Good people / Good folk (Simple, positive description)
- Legit (Slang for legitimate, authentic, genuinely good)
- Decent bloke/chap (UK/Aus) / Decent dude (US)
- Has your back (Implies loyalty and support)
Vulgar/Emphatic:
- A fuckin' legend / Absolute legend (Aus/UK/NZ slang, high praise, often for helpfulness or skill)
- Got balls (Vulgar, implies courage and integrity in facing difficulty, not just honesty)
Milder/More Formal:
- Honorable
- Trustworthy
- Reliable
- Dependable
- Decent
- Upstanding
- Virtuous
- Person of integrity / Woman/Man of integrity
- Principled
Situational Appropriateness
- Informal to semi-formal. It's a strong, positive compliment.
- Gal is more informal and less common today than guy. Stand-up person or stand-up individual can be used as gender-neutral alternatives, though they sound slightly more formal.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Could potentially be confused with stand-up comedian, but the context (guy, gal, discussion of character) almost always makes the intended meaning clear.
Examples
- He admitted his mistake and took responsibility – he's a real stand-up guy.
- She always supports her friends, no matter what. She's a true stand-up gal.
- You can always count on him to do the right thing; he's a stand-up guy.
Dialogue
Sarah: When my car broke down, Mark drove an hour out of his way to pick me up.
David: That doesn't surprise me. He's always been a stand-up guy. Always there for his friends.
Sarah: Totally. I really appreciate him.
Social Media Examples
- Post: Huge thanks to my neighbor for helping me jumpstart my car this morning! You're a stand-up guy! #community #grateful
- Comment on a story about someone doing a good deed: What a stand-up person. We need more people like this.
- Tweet: Shoutout to my friend @CoolChickName always supportive, always real. A total stand-up gal. 💪
Response Patterns
- Strong agreement: He really is., Absolutely., Couldn't agree more.
- Expressing respect: She's one of the good ones., That's high praise., I admire that.
- Sharing confirming anecdotes: Yeah, I remember when he helped me...
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After praising someone as stand-up:
- Often followed by further expressions of appreciation or specific examples of their honorable behavior.
- Reinforces trust and reliance on the person described.
- Listener might express their own positive view of the person.
Conversation Starter
- No. It's a compliment describing someone's character based on their actions or reputation.
Intonation
- Said with genuine respect, admiration, and approval.
- Stress is clearly on stand-up.
- a STAND-UP guy/gal.
Generation Differences
- Widely understood by most generations.
- The use of gal might sound dated to younger generations (Millennials, Gen Z), who might prefer stand-up person or other compliments.
Regional Variations
- Common in North America, but well understood in other English-speaking regions (UK, Aus, etc.).