standoff
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Related to standoff: Mexican standoff
stand·off
(stănd′ôf′, -ŏf′)n.
1. A situation in which one force or party neutralizes or counterbalances the other and further action is prevented; a standstill: a standoff between demonstrators and the police.
2. A tie or draw, as in a contest.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
standoff
(ˈstændˌɒf)n
1. US and Canadian 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) rugby short for stand-off half
vb (adverb)
5. (Nautical Terms) (intr) to navigate a vessel so as to avoid the shore, an obstruction, etc
6. (tr) to keep or cause to keep at a distance
7. (intr) to reach a deadlock or stalemate
8. (Industrial Relations & HR Terms) (tr) to dismiss (workers), esp temporarily
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
stand′off`
or stand′-off`,
n.
1. a tie or draw, as in a game.
2. something that counterbalances.
3. a standing apart; aloofness.
adj. 4. aloof; reserved; standoffish.
[1830–40]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
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| Noun | 1. | standoff - the finish of a contest in which the score is tied and the winner is undecided; "the game ended in a draw"; "their record was 3 wins, 6 losses and a tie" finish - designated event that concludes a contest (especially a race); "excitement grew as the finish neared"; "my horse was several lengths behind at the finish"; "the winner is the team with the most points at the finish" dead heat - a tie in a race stalemate - drawing position in chess: any of a player's possible moves would place his king in check |
| 2. | standoff - the act of repulsing or repelling an attack; a successful defensive stand stand - a defensive effort; "the army made a final stand at the Rhone" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
standoff
nounThe American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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