standoff

3 definitions • 4 examples

a situation in which agreement in an argument does not seem possible

a situation in which neither side has won a competition or argument, or an occasion when someone prevents officials from acting, usually by threatening violence:

The battle of wills between teacher and student was a standoff.

She locked herself in the house, but after a brief standoff, police convinced her to come out.

a situation in which agreement in an argument does not seem possible:

standoff between sb and sb The standoff between potential buyers and sellers has effects throughout the economy.

The major issue hanging over both the stock and bond markets is the budget standoff in Washington