stay\ with

• stay with

• stick with informal

I. v

1. To continue doing; not quit.

Fred stayed with his homework until it was done.

Practicing is tiresome, but stick with it and some day you will be a good pianist.

Compare: stick to

2. To stay with; not leave.

Stick with me until we get out of the crowd.

For two months Bill's boss could not pay his salary, but Bill stuck with him because he thought the company would soon succeed.

3. To sell (someone) something poor or worthless; cheat.

Father said that the man in the store tried to stick him with a bad TV set.

4. To leave (someone) with (something unpleasant); force to do or keep something because others cannot or will not. - Usually used in the passive.

When Harry and I went to the store to buy ice cream cones, Harry ran out with his cone without paying and I was stuck with paying for it.

Mary didn't wash the dishes before she left so I'm stuck with it.

Mr. Jones bought a house that is too big and expensive, but now he's stuck with it.

II. v. phr.

To unfairly thrust upon; encumber one with.

In the restaurant my friends stuck me with the bill although it was supposed to be Dutch treat.