A situation where neither side can gain an advantage and progress is blocked; a tie or deadlock.
From the verb phrase 'stand off,' meaning to keep at a distance. The noun form emerged in the 19th century, originally used in naval and military contexts where opposing forces couldn't advance.
The standoff is mathematically fascinating—game theorists call it a 'Nash equilibrium' when both sides are doing their best while knowing the other side is doing theirs, creating perfect stalemate where movement means losing.
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