To stand some distance apart from something or someone.

“He stood off from the fire, for fear of getting scorched.”

To prevent any would-be attacker from coming close by adopting an offensive posture.

“We took hold of anything that might serve as a weapon to stand off the menacing group of young men.”

To move away from shore.

A device which maintains a fixed distance between two objects, especially between a surface and a sign or electrical wiring.

A deadlocked confrontation between antagonists (see stand off and verb below).

“A tense standoff between demonstrators and police continued overnight.”