standoff about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "standoff about" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used when discussing a situation where two parties are in a disagreement or impasse regarding a specific issue. Example: "The negotiations reached a standoff about the terms of the contract, leaving both sides frustrated."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The teenager was described as a good student who said little during the standoff about what was troubling him.

The New York Times

He still loves a good niggle though, tracking Danny to his house to have a standoff about the wider implications of the cover-up.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The big meeting of Dany and Jon — secret aunt and nephew, if only they knew — quickly devolves into a standoff about bending the knee, and whose house once pledged fealty forever, and whose family did what to whom.

The New Yorker

A new series, "Standoff," about a romance between two F.B.I. hostage negotiators, benefited from the "House" lead-in and handily bested its competitors, although it garnered an unimpressive 66percentt retention of adults 18 to 49.

The New York Times

By Sarah Larson July 31 ,2017 The big meeting of Dany and Jon quickly devolves into a standoff about bending the knee, and whose house once pledged fealty forever, and whose family did what to whom.

The New Yorker

The screening is strong; there's Vanished, a one-hour about a kidnapping that will play out over 22 weeks, Ted Danson's new half-hour, Help Me Help You, and Standoff, about hostage negotiators who are having an affair which is against government policy.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The standoff began about 6 30 p.m. Friday after a passenger aboard the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner reported seeing a man with a handgun.

Los Angeles Times

The standoff began about 12 30 p.m. Wednesday after Warsaw was seen dragging a screaming girl by her hair outside a residence in the 10700 block of 5th Avenue, police said.

Los Angeles Times

Local shopkeepers recalled a standoff between about 20 far-right activists on one side of the street and about 50 anti-racism campaigners.

The Guardian

The standoff lasted about six hours.

The New York Times

The tense standoff lasted about 20 minutes.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more precise alternatives like "deadlock over" or "dispute regarding" to enhance clarity and impact in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "standoff about" in formal writing. While understandable, it may sound less sophisticated than alternatives such as "deadlock over" or "impasse regarding".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "standoff about" functions as a noun phrase followed by a preposition, typically used to describe a situation of conflict or disagreement regarding a specific issue. Ludwig suggests that while understandable, it may be perceived as awkward.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "standoff about" describes a deadlock or disagreement concerning a specific issue. Ludwig AI indicates that while grammatically understandable, the phrase might sound somewhat awkward and less sophisticated than alternatives. It's mostly found in News & Media contexts, but its rarity suggests that writers should opt for more precise and polished alternatives such as "deadlock over" or "impasse regarding" to improve clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deadlock over

Focuses on the impasse reached regarding a particular issue.

impasse regarding

Highlights the state of blocked progress with respect to a specific matter.

disagreement concerning

Emphasizes the difference in opinion related to the topic.

dispute over

Highlights the contested nature of the disagreement.

conflict regarding

Emphasizes the opposition or friction related to the subject.

controversy surrounding

Highlights the public debate and disagreement concerning the topic.

clash over

Focuses on the direct confrontation regarding the issue.

contention about

Emphasizes the argument or debate about the topic.

argument concerning

Focuses on the exchange of differing views related to the matter.

tensions regarding

Highlights the strained relationship or unease about the subject.

FAQs

What does "standoff about" mean?

The phrase "standoff about" describes a situation where parties are in a deadlock or disagreement concerning a particular issue or topic.

What can I say instead of "standoff about"?

You can use alternatives like "deadlock over", "impasse regarding", or "dispute over" depending on the context.

Is "standoff about" grammatically correct?

While grammatically understandable, "standoff about" is not as polished or commonly used as alternatives like "deadlock over" or "impasse regarding".

How do I use "standoff about" in a sentence?

You can use "standoff about" to describe a situation where parties are in a disagreement or impasse. For example: "The negotiations reached a standoff about the terms of the contract".