be stood down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be stood down" is not standard in written English; the correct form is "be stood down" in passive voice.
It can be used in contexts where someone is temporarily relieved from duty or responsibility, often in a military or organizational setting. Example: "The officer was told to be stood down until further notice due to the investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

And is Britt Ekland about to be stood down as regional pantoland's go-to Wicked Queen?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He will be stood down from play until the process is complete".

The Guardian - Sport

Others called on Chappell to be stood down as captain while at least one state cricketing body appealed for the result to be annulled and the match replayed.

The Guardian - Sport

She said that it had been made clear to the panel "off the record" that the panel will be stood down in the New Year.

The Guardian

It has referred the matter to the NRL integrity unit but made no indication as to whether Radradra would be stood down or not.

The Guardian - Sport

If the real Rafa Nadal stands up this afternoon, it's hard to see how Wawrinka won't be stood down from this tournament.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

The team was stood down on safety grounds.

The Guardian

"The matter has now been stood down," a police statement said.

Independent

Koroma worked on the team for 18 months, before being stood down in April.

The Guardian

Lodge has been stood down until the Club and NRL Integrity Unit receive all the facts".

The Guardian - Sport

Parramatta playmaker Corey Norman has been stood down for eight rounds, effectively ending his NRL season.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be stood down" to indicate a temporary removal from a position or duty, often due to investigation, reassessment, or a change in circumstances. Ensure that the context clearly implies a temporary state, as opposed to a permanent removal.

Common error

Avoid using "be stood down" when a permanent dismissal or removal is intended. The phrase implies a temporary situation; for permanent removal, use terms like "fired", "dismissed", or "removed from office".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be stood down" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject is receiving the action of being temporarily relieved of their duties or position. Ludwig examples show its use in news and sports contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be stood down" is a grammatically correct passive construction used to indicate a temporary removal from a position or duty. As indicated by Ludwig, this phrase is most commonly found in news and sports contexts, serving to inform about a temporary cessation of activities, often pending further review. While the term carries a neutral tone, it's crucial to distinguish it from permanent removals. Alternatives such as "be relieved of duty" or "be temporarily suspended" can be considered depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be relieved of duty

This alternative directly replaces the passive construction with a more active voice, focusing on the act of relieving someone.

be temporarily suspended

Specifies that the suspension is not permanent, which aligns with the temporary nature of "stood down".

be suspended from duty

This suggests a more formal or disciplinary removal from responsibilities.

be taken off duty

This alternative is more informal and emphasizes the cessation of work.

be withdrawn from service

This alternative highlights the act of removing something or someone from active use or service.

be temporarily sidelined

This is often used in sports or competitive contexts to mean being temporarily unable to participate.

be removed from consideration

This applies when an idea or person is no longer being considered for a particular purpose.

be put on leave

This indicates a formal period of absence, often for personal or disciplinary reasons.

be decommissioned

Primarily used in military contexts to indicate the removal of a vessel or unit from service.

be mothballed

This term suggests placing something into a state of preservation for potential future use, implying a longer period of inactivity.

FAQs

How to use "be stood down" in a sentence?

The phrase "be stood down" is used in the passive voice to indicate a temporary removal from a position or duty. For example, "The player was "be stood down" pending an investigation" or "The operation has "be stood down" due to safety concerns".

What can I say instead of "be stood down"?

You can use alternatives like "be relieved of duty", "be temporarily suspended", or "be taken off duty" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "be stood down" or "stand down"?

"Be stood down" is the passive form, indicating that someone or something is being acted upon. "Stand down" is the active form, meaning to withdraw or relinquish a position. For example, "He was "be stood down"" (passive) versus "He will "stand down"" (active).

What's the difference between "be stood down" and "be suspended"?

While both imply a removal from duty, "be suspended" often suggests a more formal or disciplinary action. "Be stood down" can be used in broader contexts, including for safety reasons or reassessment, without necessarily implying wrongdoing. If you are looking for something similar to “"be suspended"” be sure that that suspension is also temporary.