Tolerate kid scratching bottom or get ready for a fight? (5,2)

I believe the answer is:

stand to

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'get ready for a fight?' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'tolerate kid scratching bottom' is the wordplay.
'tolerate' becomes 'stand' (synonyms).
'kid' becomes 'tot' (tot is a kind of kid).
'scratching bottom' means to remove the last letter.
'tot' with its last letter taken off is 'to'.
'stand'+'to'='STAND-TO'

'or' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for stand to that I've seen is " alert for attack".)

I've seen this clue in The Sunday Times.

Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app