stand-down

Or stand·down

[stand-doun]

noun

1. Military.,  a temporary cessation of offensive actions; cease-fire; truce.

   a stand-down for the Christmas holidays.

2. a work stoppage or layoff.

stand down

verb

1. (intr) to resign or withdraw, esp in favour of another

2. (intr) to leave the witness box in a court of law after giving evidence

3. to go or be taken off duty

Word History and Origins

Origin of stand down¹

First recorded in 1920–25; noun use of verb phrase stand down

Idioms and Phrases

Leave a witness stand, as in The judge told her to stand down . [Late 1600s]

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]

Go off duty, as in The American forces were ordered to stand down . [Early 1900s]

Example Sentences

If Kildunne, who turned 26 on Monday, comes through her mandatory minimum 12-day stand-down period without showing further concussion symptoms, she will be fit for a potential semi-final on Saturday, 20 September.

From BBC

The England full-back was forced off in the second half of England's Pool A win on Saturday and faces a mandatory minimum 12-day stand-down period after showing concussion symptoms.

From BBC

Curry was cleared to play after coming through his 12-day stand-down period, and his inclusion in a full-strength side against Japan only points to England's need for a positive outcome.

From BBC

The Marine Corps did order a 48-hour aircraft stand-down after the incident, which was the third recent aviation mishap.

From Washington Times

Gen. Eric Smith, the acting commandant of the Marine Corps, ordered the stand-down while authorities searched near two South Carolina lakes for the missing FB-35B Lightning II aircraft.

From Washington Times

Related Words

• abolish 
• abrogate 
• annul 
• cancel 
• dismantle 
• invalidate 
• lift 
• nullify 
• rescind 
• reverse 
• revoke 
• set aside 
• void 
• wipe out 
• withdraw