1 B2 neutral
To keep at a distance; to remain away from someone or something.
"The protesters stood off from the building as police formed a barrier."
inseparable
stand off
B2 neutral inseparable transitive/intransitive
To keep at a distance from someone or something, or to result in a deadlock between opposing forces.
In plain English
To stay away from someone, or to be in a situation where neither side can win.
What does "stand off" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
To resist or hold off an opponent without either side gaining the upper hand, resulting in a stalemate.
"The two armies stood off for days, neither willing to make the first aggressive move."
inseparable
3 B2 idiomatic neutral
(Of a person) to behave in a cold or unfriendly way; to be aloof.
"She stood off from her new colleagues for weeks before she finally started warming up to them."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To stand at a distance from something.
Actually means
To stay away from someone, or to be in a situation where neither side can win.
Usage tip
The noun 'standoff' (written as one word) is more commonly used than the phrasal verb in everyday contexts. Often used in military, law enforcement, and competitive contexts.
Words that pair with "stand off"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
enemy police forces rival threat confrontation
How to conjugate "stand off"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
stand off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
stands off
he/she/it
Past simple
stood off
yesterday
Past participle
stood off
have + pp
-ing form
standing off
continuous
Hear "stand off" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "stand off" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "stand off"
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Keep exploring
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