standoff

stand·off  (stndôf, -f)

n.

1. A tie or draw, as in a contest.

2. A situation in which one force neutralizes or counterbalances the other.

3. A standoff insulator.

adj.

Standoffish.

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standoff [ˈstændˌɒf]

n

1. US and Canadian the act or an instance of standing off or apart

2. a deadlock or stalemate

3. any situation or disposition of forces that counterbalances or neutralizes

4. (Team Sports / Rugby) Rugby short for stand-off half

vb stand off (adverb)

1. (Transport / Nautical Terms) (intr) to navigate a vessel so as to avoid the shore, an obstruction, etc.

2. (tr) to keep or cause to keep at a distance

3. (intr) to reach a deadlock or stalemate

4. (Business / Industrial Relations & HR Terms) (tr) to dismiss (workers), esp temporarily

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	standoff - the finish of a contest in which the score is tied and the winner is undecided; "the game ended in a draw"; "their record was 3 wins, 6 losses and a tie" draw, tie finish - designated event that concludes a contest (especially a race); "excitement grew as the finish neared"; "my horse was several lengths behind at the finish"; "the winner is the team with the most points at the finish" dead heat - a tie in a race stalemate - drawing position in chess: any of a player's possible moves would place his king in check
	2.	standoff - the act of repulsing or repelling an attack; a successful defensive stand repulsion stand - a defensive effort; "the army made a final stand at the Rhone"