stand-down
noun
a temporary cessation of offensive actions; cease-fire; truce.
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stand-down
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stand down
stand downverb(intr) to resign or withdraw, esp in favour of another
stand-down
American
[stand-doun]
/ ˈstændˌdaʊn /
Or
standdown
noun
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Military. a temporary cessation of offensive actions; cease-fire; truce.
a stand-down for the Christmas holidays.
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a work stoppage or layoff.
stand down
British
verb
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(intr) to resign or withdraw, esp in favour of another
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(intr) to leave the witness box in a court of law after giving evidence
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to go or be taken off duty
stand down
Idioms
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Leave a witness stand, as in The judge told her to stand down . [Late 1600s]
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Withdraw, as from a political contest or a game or race, as in Harry decided to stand down as a candidate for mayor . [Late 1800s]
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Go off duty, as in The American forces were ordered to stand down . [Early 1900s]
Etymology
Origin of stand-down
First recorded in 1920–25; noun use of verb phrase stand down
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The boats were rejecting commands and were unable to reliably maneuver away from other traffic, prompting a safety stand-down, according to people familiar with the exercise.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 27, 2025
"The knowledge has been there for decades in rugby," said the 44-year-old, highlighting that in 1977 a three-week stand-down for concussed players was introduced.
From BBC • Feb. 21, 2024
President Bill Clinton helped mediate a stand-down, then signed the U.S.–China Military Maritime Consultative Agreement, which established a forum to discuss these sorts of disputes, while also reviving a U.S. military treaty with the Philippines.
From Slate • Oct. 4, 2023
The Marine Corps did order a 48-hour aircraft stand-down after the incident, which was the third recent aviation mishap.
From Washington Times • Sep. 26, 2023
“I’m sorry,” I said, hands out in a stand-down gesture.
From "Endangered" by Eliot Schrefer
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
