standby

a state of readiness or waiting for something to happen, especially in case it is needed

en estado de alerta, en espera

• be on standby

Collocations on standby for an emergency · keep someone on standby

• The fire department keeps a team of firefighters on standby.

  El departamento de bomberos mantiene un equipo de bomberos en estado de alerta.

to wait for something to happen, especially in case it is needed

estar a la espera, mantenerse listo

• stand by

Collocations stand by for instructions · stand by to help

• We'll stand by until the police arrive.

  Nos mantendremos a la espera hasta que lleguen las autoridades.

a position in which equipment is ready to be used but not actually being used at the moment

en modo de espera, en estado de alerta

• put something on standby

Collocations keep a machine on standby · set the alarm clock to standby mode

• The TV is in standby mode.

  La televisión está en modo de espera.

to support or agree with someone, especially when they are criticized or attacked

apoyar, respaldar

• stand by somebody

Collocations stand by a decision · stand by your friends

• We will stand by our principles.

  Nos mantendremos fieles a nuestros principios.

a note or comment that is added to a text, often at the bottom of a page or in a separate section

nota al pie de página, anotación

• add a note to something

Collocations a footnote explaining the term · an endnote at the back of the book

• There is a useful footnote on page 56.

  Hay una nota útil en la página 56.

to agree to do something that you are legally required to do, such as paying money or going to court

aceptar una obligación legal, cumplir con un compromiso

• stand by a contract

Collocations stand by an agreement · stand by the terms of a contract

• The company will stand by its legal obligations.

  La empresa cumplirá con sus obligaciones legales.

to be ready to fight or go into battle, especially as part of a military operation

estar en estado de alerta militar, mantenerse listo para la batalla

• stand by for action

Collocations stand by to defend the country · stand by in case of war

• The troops are standing by at the border.

  Las tropas están en estado de alerta en la frontera.

to keep a computer or other electronic device in a low-power state, ready to be used but not actually being used at the moment

mantener un dispositivo en modo de espera, poner en estado de alerta

• put a device on standby

Collocations keep the computer in standby mode · set the printer to standby when not in use

• I'll put my laptop on standby.

  Pondré mi portátil en modo de espera.