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stand off

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stand off

some place [for a ship] to wait some distance from a point on shore. The ship stood off at some distance, waiting for its berth. We stood off about a mile from shore and went to land in small boats called tenders.

See also: off, stand

stand someone or something off

to repel the attack of someone or something; to defend against someone or something; to stave someone or something off. It was all we could do to stand them off. The soldiers stood off the attackers as long as they could.

See also: off, stand

stand off

1. Stay at a distance, remain apart, as in Carol stood off from the others. [First half of 1600s] This usage gave rise to the adjective standoffish for "aloof" or "reserved in a haughty way."

2. Put off, keep away, as in The police stood off the angry strikers. [Second half of 1800s]

See also: off, stand

stand off

v.

1. To stay at a distance; remain apart: She stood off from the group. He stood off by himself.

2. To maintain a course away from shore. Used of a ship or other vessel: The ship stood off to sea.

3. Sports To move backward so that one is farther away from some opponent: The boxer stood off his opponent. The defender stood off the attacker, allowing her a shot on goal.

See also: off, stand