standoff background

standoff

/ˈstændɔːf/ /ˈstændɑːf/

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verb

Se tenir à l'écart, se distancier

To stand some distance apart from something or someone.

Examples :

"He stood off from the fire, for fear of getting scorched."

Il s'est tenu à l'écart du feu, de peur de se brûler.

position situation action military police

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verb

Tenir à distance, faire face

To prevent any would-be attacker from coming close by adopting an offensive posture.

Examples :

"We took hold of anything that might serve as a weapon to stand off the menacing group of young men."

Nous avons pris tout ce qui pouvait servir d'arme pour faire face au groupe menaçant de jeunes hommes.

military weapon war action

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verb

S'éloigner du rivage

To move away from shore.

Examples :

"The sailboat crew stood off from the crowded harbor entrance to avoid collisions. "

L'équipage du voilier s'est éloigné de l'entrée bondée du port pour éviter les collisions.

nautical sailing

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noun

Entretoise

A device which maintains a fixed distance between two objects, especially between a surface and a sign or electrical wiring.

Examples :

"The sign above the door had a standoff to keep it from touching the ceiling. "

L'enseigne au-dessus de la porte avait une entretoise pour l'empêcher de toucher le plafond.

device building technical electric

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noun

Impasse, blocage

A deadlocked confrontation between antagonists (see stand off and verb below).

Examples :

"A tense standoff between demonstrators and police continued overnight."

Une impasse tendue entre les manifestants et la police s'est poursuivie pendant la nuit.

politics military war government action situation event