stand up to be counted

present singular third person stands up to be counted · participle present standing up to be counted · participle past stood up to be counted · past stood up to be counted

1. To make one's opinions and beliefs known, especially when it is controversial and risky to do so; to take a stand.

   They also serve who only stand up to be counted .

   2011, Mark E. Glogowski, The Political Primer: Fundamentals of Politics

   2 more examples

   So long as the Prohibitionists stand up to be counted as Prohibitionists they are only in danger of becoming ridiculous; when they stand up to be counted as Prohibitionists and several other things besides, they have become ridiculous—even more ridiculous than pathetic.

   1892 July 9, Digest: Review of Reviews Incorporating The Literary Digest, number 10, page 274

   We are waiting for that day when men and women of this nation will stand up to be counted.

   2005, Kenya National Assembly Official Record (Hansard)

2. To rise to the occasion; to deal with a new challenge in an effective manner.

   England's understudies and new caps stood up to be counted – and Liverpool's 23-year-old midfielder Jones provided the high point of the night seven minutes from time, capping a top-class first senior appearance in joyous style.

   2024 November 14, Phil McNulty, “'A night of redemption for Carsley offers real hope for Tuchel'”, in BBC Sport