english
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Phrase(s): stand down 1. to step down, particularly from the witness stand in a courtroom. • The bailiff told the witness to stand down. • Please stand down and take your seat. 2. [for military forces] to move away from readiness for war. • After the peace treaty was signed, troops on both sides stood down.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
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1. Leave a witness stand, as in The judge told her to stand down. [Late 1600s] 2. Withdraw, as from a political contest or a game or race, as in Harry decided to stand down as a candidate for mayor. [Late 1800s] 3. Go off duty, as in The American forces were ordered to stand down. [Early 1900s]
American Heritage Idioms