Pronunciation: /stænd ɔf/

Definitions of stand off

noun a situation in which two parties or groups are unable to reach an agreement or compromise

Example Sentences

A1 The stand off between the two teams ended peacefully.

A2 The stand off at the border lasted for hours before a resolution was reached.

B1 The stand off between the government and the protesters escalated into violence.

B2 The stand off between the rival gangs was finally resolved through mediation.

C1 The stand off between the two countries was a tense diplomatic situation.

C2 The stand off between the union and management was finally settled with a new contract agreement.

verb to remain at a distance or maintain a neutral position in a conflict or competition

Example Sentences

A1 The two cats stood off against each other, ready to pounce.

A2 The rival gangs stood off in the street, glaring at each other.

B1 The protesters and the police stood off in a tense standoff.

B2 The chess players stood off, carefully studying each other's moves.

C1 The two countries stood off, unwilling to back down from their demands.

C2 The competitors stood off, each waiting for the other to make a move in the game.

Examples of stand off in a Sentence

formal The two countries engaged in a diplomatic stand off over the disputed territory.

informal The two teams had a stand off before the game, trying to intimidate each other.

slang The gang members had a stand off in the alley, ready to fight.

figurative The debate between the two politicians turned into a stand off as neither was willing to concede.

Grammatical Forms of stand off

past tense

stood

plural

stand offs

comparative

more standoffish

superlative

most standoffish

present tense

stand off

future tense

will stand off

perfect tense

have stood off

continuous tense

standing off

singular

stand off

positive degree

stand off

infinitive

to stand off

gerund

standing off

participle

stood off

Origin and Evolution of stand off

First Known Use: 1590 year
Language of Origin: English
Story behind the word: The term 'stand off' originated from the combination of the words 'stand' and 'off', indicating a situation where two parties maintain a distance from each other.
Evolution of the word: Originally used in a literal sense to describe a physical distance between two objects or individuals, the term 'stand off' has evolved to also signify a stalemate or impasse in a conflict or competition.