П-415

ПОСТОЯТЬ ЗА СЕБЯ coll VP subj: human often infin with уметь, мочь, готов etc) to defend o.s. against attack, opposition, criticism etc: X умеет постоять за себя = X can (knows how to) stand (stick) up for himself X can look after (take care of) himself (in limited contexts) X is man (woman) enough to stand (stick) up for himself (herself).

Мне нравилась наивная девушка, которая за себя постоять умела... (Герцен 1). I liked the simple-hearted girl who knew how to stand up for herself, (1a).

«Не связывайся, Фатима. Сама за себя постою» (Пастернак 1). "Don't you meddle in this, Fatima, I can look after myself" (1a).

Мальчики в училище дразнили Иосифа: отец не мог постоять за себя (Рыбаков 2). The boys in school (teased Josef), saying that his father hadn't been man enough to stand up for himself (2a)