Phrasal Verb Fun

stick at, stick to, stick with
These all mean the same.
To stick
at
something is a stronger way of saying
keep at
it.
Oh, Esmeralda. I know that you would rather go and out play with your
friends, but you have to stick at your studies.
' Kids today! They can't stick to anything for more than ten minutes.'
However, stick with sometimes has another nuance. This is passive and is
always unpleasant.
Noreen signed the contract without her lawyer there. Now she's stuck
with it.
She can't escape from the contract. She can't get away.
Inseparable two-word verb
No problem.
stick by
Similar to
stand by
but without the sense of strength or pride.
Your faithful dog, Fido the Mutt, sticks
by
you all day.
Inseparable two-word verb
No problem.
stick up for
Very similar to
stand up for
but less dramatic.
'You're always sticking up
for
Milly. Why?'
'She's my friend, and you all have the wrong idea about her.'
Three-word verb
No problem.