standoff

or stand-off

[ stand-awf, -of ]
/ ˈstændˌɔf, -ˌɒf /

noun

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

adjective

standing off or apart; aloof; reserved: an uncordial and standoff manner.

Origin of standoff

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

Definition for stand off (2 of 2)

Origin of stand

before 900; Middle English standen (v.), Old English standan; cognate with Old Saxon standan, Middle Dutch standen, Old High German stantan, standa, standan; akin to Latin stāre to stand, sistere, Greek histánai to make stand, Sanskrit sthā to stand, Old Irish at-tá (he) is

synonym study for stand

25. See bear1.

British Dictionary definitions for stand off (1 of 2)

standoff
/ (ˈstændˌɒf) /

noun

verb stand off (adverb)

British Dictionary definitions for stand off (2 of 2)

stand
/ (stænd) /

verb stands, standing or stood (mainly intr)

noun

Derived forms of stand

stander, noun

Word Origin for stand

Old English standan; related to Old Norse standa, Old High German stantan, Latin stāre to stand; see stead

Idioms and Phrases with stand off (1 of 2)

stand off

1

Stay at a distance, remain apart, as in Carol stood off from the others. [First half of 1600s] This usage gave rise to the adjective standoffish for “aloof” or “reserved in a haughty way.”

2

Put off, keep away, as in The police stood off the angry strikers. [Second half of 1800s]

Idioms and Phrases with stand off (2 of 2)

stand