standoff

or stand-off

[ stand-awf, -of ]

noun

1. a standing off or apart; aloofness.
2. a tie or draw, as in a game.
3. something that counterbalances.
4. a prop for holding the top of a ladder away from the vertical surface against which it is leaning.
5. Electricity. an insulator that supports a conductor above a surface.

adjective

1. standing off or apart; aloof; reserved:

   an uncordial and standoff manner.

standoff

/ ˈstændˌɒf /

noun

1. the act or an instance of standing off or apart
2. a deadlock or stalemate
3. any situation or disposition of forces that counterbalances or neutralizes
4. rugby short for stand-off half

verb

1. intr to navigate a vessel so as to avoid the shore, an obstruction, etc
2. tr to keep or cause to keep at a distance
3. intr to reach a deadlock or stalemate
4. tr to dismiss (workers), esp temporarily

Word History and Origins

Origin of standoff¹

First recorded in 1830–40; noun, adj. use of verb phrase stand off

Example Sentences

Is he planning on an armed standoff with state police?

From Salon

An hours-long standoff ensued before the man was taken into custody on suspicion of trespassing, he said.

From Los Angeles Times

More volatile than anything else, Schickler said, could be the standoff over immigration.

From Los Angeles Times

The standoff between Blanche’s impractical aestheticism and Stanley’s ruthless pragmatism is the heart of this quintessentially American drama.

From Los Angeles Times

When Samoa's rugby league team performed a traditional war dance, the Siva Tau, before their first Test against England last Sunday, the players became involved in an intense standoff.

From BBC

Related Words

• deadlock
• impasse
• stalemate