stand in for something—
1. support a cause:
- Living in what looks like a remarkably nice housing estate, Topsy and Tim clearly stand in for classless society.
2. be in league with a person for mutual support or joint action:
- The policeman who “stood in” for this robbery saw the rogues depart with their plunder.
Note: The expression does not fully correlate in meaning with the phrase stand for something—
1. = stand in for something 1:
- We stand for nonracial not multiracial cricket and believe in selection on merit, irrespective of color.
2. indicate or imply smth.:
- What will the term “Accredited Milk” stand for? It will be milk from cows that have been clinically tested.
3. offer oneself as a candidate for an office:
- I even became political enough to stand for a councillorship.
4. put up with smth.; bear smth.:
- Overseas Governments just won’t stand for it, particularly when they get to know what’s going on.
stand out for something— = stand in for something 1:
- He has not grit enough to stand out for justice and honesty.