standoff Definition
- 1a situation in which agreement in an argument does not seem possible
- 2a deadlock or impasse
Using standoff: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "standoff" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The negotiations ended in a standoff between the two parties.
Example
The police and the suspect were in a standoff for several hours.
Example
The team's defense prevented a touchdown, resulting in a standoff on the field.
standoff Synonyms and Antonyms
Antonyms for standoff
Phrases with standoff
a confrontation between two or more parties in which no participant can proceed or retreat without being exposed to danger
Example
The two gunmen were in a Mexican standoff, each waiting for the other to make a move.
unfriendly or aloof in manner
Example
She was very standoffish when I tried to talk to her.
Example
The military used standoff weapons to attack enemy targets without risking their own troops.
Origins of standoff
from the phrasal verb 'stand off', meaning 'to keep at a distance'
Summary: standoff in Brief
A 'standoff' [ˈstændɒf] is a situation where there is no agreement or progress in an argument or negotiation. It can also refer to a deadlock or impasse. Examples include a confrontation between police and a suspect, or a stalemate in a sports game. Phrases like 'Mexican standoff' and 'standoff weapon' extend the term's usage.
