1. To have a high likelihood of losing or being deprived of something. We stand to lose over half a million dollars as a result of the stock market crash. They could stand to lose the majority of their workforce due to the strike.

2. To benefit from or be able to tolerate losing or being deprived of something. (Always used after "can" or "could.") I could stand to lose a few pounds, so I think I'm going to start biking to work. A huge company like them can stand to lose a couple million in a court settlement, so I wouldn't worry too much about them.