stand off

The result was less a dramatic stand-off between humans and animals and more a strangely moving piece of performance art.

What followed, instead, was a year of inaction, culminating in a government shutdown and a stand-off over the fiscal cliff.

Indeed, if this was self-destructive, then provoking another stand-off—during an election year, no less—would be suicidal.

Obama said that right now he would focus American efforts on resolving the stand-off with Iran over its nuclear program.

A “Mexican stand-off” apparently ensued before the police realized who Andrew was.

But no serious damage was done, and the bombardment ended in a stand-off between the two sides.

It's been what you might call a stand-off for a good many years.

The two shook hands, and Elizabeth thought the girl's manner a little stand-off, and wondered why.

You looked so supercilious and stand-off-the-grass like that I couldn't bring myself to it at all.

I'm quite sure that a man who is genial and nice gets his work done ever so much better than do those stand-off fellows.