to stick to

Stick \Stick\, v. i.
   1. To adhere; as, glue sticks to the fingers; paste sticks to
      the wall.
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            The green caterpillar breedeth in the inward parts
            of roses not blown, where the dew sticketh. --Bacon.
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   2. To remain where placed; to be fixed; to hold fast to any
      position so as to be moved with difficulty; to cling; to
      abide; to cleave; to be united closely.
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            A friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
                                                  --Prov. xviii.
                                                  24.
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            I am a kind of bur; I shall stick.    --Shak.
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            If on your fame our sex a bolt has thrown,
            'T will ever stick through malice of your own.
                                                  --Young.
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   3. To be prevented from going farther; to stop by reason of
      some obstacle; to be stayed.
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            I had most need of blessing, and "Amen"
            Stuck in my throat.                   --Shak.
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            The trembling weapon passed
            Through nine bull hides, . . . and stuck within the
            last.                                 --Dryden.
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   4. To be embarrassed or puzzled; to hesitate; to be deterred,
      as by scruples; to scruple; -- often with at.
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            They will stick long at part of a demonstration for
            want of perceiving the connection of two ideas.
                                                  --Locke.
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            Some stick not to say, that the parson and attorney
            forged a will.                        --Arbuthnot.
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   5. To cause difficulties, scruples, or hesitation.
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            This is the difficulty that sticks with the most
            reasonable.                           --Swift.
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   {To stick by}.
      (a) To adhere closely to; to be firm in supporting. "We
          are your only friends; stick by us, and we will stick
          by you." --Davenant.
      (b) To be troublesome by adhering. "I am satisfied to
          trifle away my time, rather than let it stick by me."
          --Pope.

   {To stick out}.
      (a) To project; to be prominent. "His bones that were not
          seen stick out." --Job xxxiii. 21.
      (b) To persevere in a purpose; to hold out; as, the
          garrison stuck out until relieved. [Colloq.]

   {To stick to}, to be persevering in holding to; as, to stick
      to a party or cause. "The advantage will be on our side if
      we stick to its essentials." --Addison.

   {To stick up}, to stand erect; as, his hair sticks up.

   {To stick up for}, to assert and defend; as, to stick up for
      one's rights or for a friend. [Colloq.]

   {To stick upon}, to dwell upon; not to forsake. "If the
      matter be knotty, the mind must stop and buckle to it, and
      stick upon it with labor and thought." --Locke.
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