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stand down

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stand down

 

1. to step down, particularly from the witness stand in a courtroom. The bailiff told the witness to stand down. Please stand down and take your seat.

2. [for military forces] to move away from readiness for war. After the peace treaty was signed, troops on both sides stood down.

See also: down, stand

stand down

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

2. 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]

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

See also: down, stand

stand down

v.

1. To withdraw or resign, as from a political contest: Because the candidate was behind in the polls, he decided to stand down.

2. To end a state of readiness or alert: The troops were ordered to stand down.

3. To leave a witness stand: The judge allowed the witness to stand down.

See also: down, stand