noun
standoff
STAN-dof
Standoff (noun) means a tense confrontation in which neither side backs down or advances. Example: “Police were locked in a two-hour standoff with the armed suspect.”
noun
1
A tense confrontation in which neither side backs down or advances.
"Police were locked in a two-hour standoff with the armed suspect."
2
A device or fitting that keeps two objects a fixed distance apart.
"The sign was mounted on metal standoffs a few inches from the wall."
How to use standoff
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA tense deadlock where neither side moves, or a hardware part that keeps two things spaced apart.
Common pairings
tense standoff
armed standoff
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Word forms
- Plural
- standoffs
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Police were locked in a two-hour _____ with the armed suspect.
Etymology
Formed from the phrasal verb "stand off," turned into a single noun.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “standoff” mean?
The word “standoff” means a tense confrontation in which neither side backs down or advances. In plain terms, a tense deadlock where neither side moves, or a hardware part that keeps two things spaced apart.
How do you pronounce “standoff”?
“Standoff” is pronounced STAN-dof (/ˈstændɔf/ in IPA).
How do you use “standoff” in a sentence?
Here is “standoff” used in a sentence: “Police were locked in a two-hour standoff with the armed suspect.”
What part of speech is “standoff”?
“Standoff” is a noun.
How many meanings does “standoff” have?
“Standoff” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a tense confrontation in which neither side backs down or advances.
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