Can’t stand the sight of

Meaning

The idiom "can't stand the sight of" means to be repelled or offended by something or someone, often due to their appearance, behavior, or character. It is a strong expression of dislike or intolerance.

Usage

• I can't stand the sight of spiders. They make me feel sick just looking at them.
• My husband can't stand the sight of his in-laws. He thinks they are rude and judgmental.
• She can't stand the sight of public speaking. It makes her nervous and sweaty.
• I can't stand the sight of blood. Even just thinking about it makes me feel faint.
• My daughter can't stand the sight of messy rooms. She is very particular and likes everything to be clean and organized.

Roots and History

The idiom "can't stand the sight of" has its roots in old English, where it was expressed as "cænna stonden." The phrase literally means "to be unable to bear to see," and it has been used since at least the 16th century. Over time, the idiom has evolved to include more than just a physical reaction to something or someone, and can now encompass emotional repulsion as well.

Synonyms in English

• Can't stand the sight of: cannot tolerate, abhor, detest, despise, loathe.
• Dislike: hate, loathe, abhor, despise.
• Abhor: detest, loathe, hate, abominate.

Synonyms in other languages

• Spanish: odiad, detestar, aborcer, abominable.
• French: détester, odier, haïr, répugner.
• German: hassteln, hassen, verabscheiden, vermuten.
• Italian: odiare, detestare, aborrere, abominar.
• Japanese: 疑慮している (怒り) The idiom "can't stand the sight of" is widely used in many languages and cultures around the world.

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