OCTOBER 15, 2008 | To stick it out, to stick to something, to stick around
Q: I wanted to quit my computer class, but the teacher said I should "stick it out" - What does that mean?
A: To "stick it out" means to stay with something (in this case to stay enrolled in the computer course) despite hardships, troubles, etc. It basically means not to quit despite any trouble that you might have. So, in your case, your teacher was telling you not to quit. Another example: "We thought we would leave halfway through the movie, but we stuck it out until the end."
"To stick to something" means to keep doing something, to not stray from doing something. EX. "Let's stick to the plan" (Let's not stray from the plan, let's not change the plan); "To stick with something" means to remain/stay with something (especially when an opportunity to change it comes along). EX: "I think I'll stick with my old computer" (I'm not going to get a new one); "The new cell phone company called me but I told them I would stick with my old provider."
The verb "to stick around" means "not to leave". EX. "Stick around! There's much more to come!"
ESL BLOG HOME