stood at attention vs stood to attention

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Stood at attention' is the more common phrase and is used to describe someone standing in a formal, attentive posture. 'Stood to attention' is less common and is typically used in British English to mean the same thing.

Last updated: March 19, 2024 • 600 views

stood at attention

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to describe someone standing in a formal, attentive posture.

This phrase is used to describe a person standing in a formal, attentive posture, often in a military or ceremonial context.

Examples:

The soldiers stood at attention during the national anthem.
She stood at attention while the officer inspected the troops.
The students stood at attention when the principal entered the room.

Show examples from the web [+]

While in Norfolk in 2011, he helped found a fund-raiser in which members of the four armed services stood at attention, at length, in a public place for donations.
Deutsch-Englisch-Übersetzung für: stood at attention ... Englisch-Deutsch- Wörterbuch: stood at attention ... stood at attention {past-p} · stramm gestanden ...
Oct 7, 2015 ... At Moncler finale, two rows of fencers stood at attention. 'But why didn't they fence ?' asked one puzzled attendee pic.twitter.com/44Fto2oD3L.
... The German flag flies at Sunday's German National Day; A U.S. flag flew as a German airman stood at attention; Members of the German Air Force stood with ...

Alternatives:

stood to attention
stood in attention
stood at ease
stood in formation
stood in line

stood to attention

This phrase is correct but less common than 'stood at attention'. It is typically used in British English to mean the same thing.

This phrase is used to describe a person standing in a formal, attentive posture, often in a military or ceremonial context. It is more commonly used in British English.

Examples:

The soldiers stood to attention as the general approached.
He stood to attention when the Queen entered the room.

Show examples from the web [+]

Stood to attention. Slang term for an erection. Stan was stood to attention as he was looking at the hot girls on the beach. by Andrew213 February 16, 2012. 0 0.
Apr 30, 2012 ... As an order, particularly British, one may hear "have the men stand to attention" after which they may be said to have been "stood to attention" ...
4. (in the army etc) a position in which one stands very straight with hands by the sides and feet together. He stood to attention. op aandag يَكون في وَضع الإنْتِباه ...
... con el sujeto ("lavarse", "irse", "enojarse"). The entire company stood to attention in perfect unison. Toda la compañía estuvo en posición de firmes al unísono.

Alternatives:

stood at attention
stood in attention
stood at ease
stood in formation
stood in line

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stood at attention vs stood to attention