stand off
To stand some distance apart from something or someoneTo stand some distance apart from something or someone.
» Tom is standing off to the side.
Meaning
3 sensesTo stand some distance apart from something or someone.
He stood off from the fire, for fear of getting scorched.
(US)To prevent any would-be attacker from coming close by adopting an offensive posture.
We took hold of anything that might serve as a weapon to stand off the menacing group of young men.
(dated)To move away from shore.
Examples
7 sentencesTom is standing off to the side.
She was standing off to the side.
I'd like to know how this stand-off came about.
deIch möchte gern wissen, wie diese verfahrene Situation zustande kam.
The two countries have been engaged in a stand-off for two weeks now.
He always stands off when people are enthusiastic.
Forms
stands off, standing off, stood off, stood off| Base form | stand off · to stand off |
|---|---|
| 3rd person singular | stands off |
| Present participle | standing off |
| Past simple | stood off |
| Past participle | stood off |
irregular · Lesson
Phrasal verbs
15 phrasal verbs- stand upвстати, вставатиTo rise from a lying or sitting position.
- stand outстирчати, випинатисяTo jut out, protrude (from a surface etc.).
- stand inзамінятиTo substitute for; to replace
- stand downпіти у відставку, іти у відставкуTo wait; to stop pursuing, stop fighting, or relax from a heightened readiness posture.
- stand forмати на увазі, збиратисяTo mean; to symbolize; to represent; especially of an acronym or abbreviation.
- stand byчекати, очікуватиTo wait in expectation of some event; to be ready.
- stand offTo stand some distance apart from something or someone.
- stand onTo continue following the same course.
More 7
- stand backTo maintain distance.
- stand overTo be very watchful of.
- stand aroundTo stand without doing anything; to do nothing productive; to waste time.
- stand withTo back or side with; to support (in reference to literally standing alongside someone to show one's support).
- stand toTo tolerate (something); to be able to withstand (something) stressful that will be ultimately beneficial.
- stand asideTo step sideways to make a space for someone else.
- stand underTo withstand, resist or endure.
Word family
2 related wordsLessons for this word
3 lessons- A1Present simple — Because it is a verb
- A1Past simple, irregular verbs — Because of its past form
- A2Phrasal verbs: introduction — Because it is a phrasal verb