# half-night stand

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/half-night-stand
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A single sexual encounter between two individuals, lasting for less than an entire night, where at least one of the partners has no immediate intention or expectation of establishing a longer-term sexual or romantic relationship.

## Examples

- They left quickly after their half-night stand.
- He felt awkward when his date left immediately after their half-night stand, leaving him alone in the apartment.
- The brief encounter was nothing more than a half-night stand, leaving both parties to depart before the sun had even begun to rise.

## Origin

Back formation from one-night stand.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.