# stand down

idiom

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

## Meaning

To wait; to stop pursuing, stop fighting, or relax from a heightened readiness posture.

## Examples

- The police told the crowd to stand down.
- After the argument ended, both sides agreed to stand down and stop the shouting.
- The commander ordered his troops to stand down once the threat to the border had been neutralized.

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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.