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standoff Definition

stand·off (stand′ôf′)

noun

  1. a standing off or being stood off
  2. a counterbalancing or equalizing effect
  3. a tie or draw in a game or contest

adjective

  1. that stands off
  2. standoffish

standoff Synonyms

standoff

n.

stalemate, deadlock, draw, dead end; see delay 1, pause 2, tie 4.

standoff Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • resolve: Chris McGreal outlines the crisis facing Hamas as it attempts to find a way of resolving the standoff in Gaza.
  • end: Although a later agreement ended the standoff, the move raised grave concerns about Russia's dependability as a supplier of energy.
  • have: Nick immediately recognizes Vincent as the man who killed Roz, and they have a standoff.
  • follow: There then followed a standoff, with Pete guarding 2-back and Dave Penult.
  • defuse: The package of incentives and penalties, backed by six world powers, seeks to defuse a standoff over Iran's nuclear program.
  • imagine: Imagine the current nuclear standoff with the West caused Iran to shut off their oil supply... The oil price would go BERSERK.

Preposition: with

  • police: There was a tense standoff with the police, the protesters accusing them of protecting the " warmongers " .

Adjective modifier

  • tense: The remainder of 1997 was a tense standoff, with the station unwilling to either kill or run the story.
  • Mexican: How many real Mexican standoffs do you think there have been in the world?
  • nuclear: Imagine the current nuclear standoff with the West caused Iran to shut off their oil supply... The oil price would go BERSERK.
  • current: The benefits of our policy are evident in the current standoff with Iran.
  • stainless: There is also five pieces of Stainless steel standoffs to screw the X-Plate on the back of the motherboard.
  • brief: US television news said Brian Nichols, 33, was taken into custody in north Atlanta after a brief standoff.

Modifies a noun

  • range: Secondly, the large standoff range means that the aircraft can remain well clear of the bomb's effects.
  • weapon: The first operational use of the new standoff weapon system called Storm Shadow has also been an outstanding success.
  • scale: Won 5th place in standoff scale at Woodvale 2000.
  • position: Indirect fire weapons can deny enemy helicopters the use of masked, standoff positions.

Noun used with modifier

  • motherboard: I had trouble finding a method of fitting it to the heatsink whilst still being able to mount the motherboard standoffs.
  • steel: There is also five pieces of Stainless steel standoffs to screw the X-Plate on the back of the motherboard.
  • screw-on: For this purpose it might be necessary to apply the ladder without the screw-on standoffs.