stand off
"Stand off" can describe various scenarios involving separation, distance, or a stalemate in different contexts such as conflicts, nautical navigation, and sports.
Definition
B2Conflict
(common)A situation where neither side in a disagreement or conflict can gain the upper hand.
Example
- The negotiations ended in a stand off, with neither party willing to compromise.
B2Social Interaction
(common)Maintaining a physical or emotional distance due to tension or disagreement.
Example
- Their argument led to a stand off, and they didn't speak for days.
C1Nautical
(technical, dated)To sail away from the shore or an obstacle.
Example
- The ship had to stand off to avoid the dangerous rocks near the coast.
C1Sports
(specific)A position in rugby responsible for directing the backline and making strategic decisions.
Example
- The stand off played a crucial role in the team's victory.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "stand off":
stand asidestand backhold offstand downstand byat a standstand instand onback offstand patdead standstep asidehold outhands offstand one's groundstep offsquare offstand withstand stillkeep awaystand behindlook offface offfend offfight offback awaystand forstay backstand up tokeep backfront offstep backcold shoulderstand fastkeep at arm's lengthhang offput offat baystand on endpush offwire offsit outwall offstay outstand updraw awayhead offbeat offon the fence