Definition of stand-down
(Entry 1 of 2)
: a relaxation of status of a military unit or force from an alert or operational posture
stand down
verb
stood down; standing down; stands down
Definition of stand down (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: to leave the witness stand
2
chiefly British
a
: to go off duty
b
: to withdraw from a contest, a position of leadership, or a state of alert or readiness
: to remove from active duty
In December of 1944, it was judged safe to stand down the Home Guard … after four and a half years of guarding Britain against invasion.— Anthony Bailey
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for stand-down
The first known use of stand-down was in 1681
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