stop the clock

Idioms

Postpone a deadline by not counting the elapsing hours. For example, Management agreed to stop the clock so that a new contract could be negotiated before the present one expired. [Mid-1900s]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Anthony: When infringements or injuries occur, stop the clock as they do in rugby.

From BBC • Nov. 11, 2025

On the Giants next drive, with the Broncos already calling timeouts to stop the clock, Dart made a critical mistake.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 20, 2025

And on the play after the 2-minute warning, with the Chargers unable to stop the clock, Mahomes converted a third-and-seven with a nine-yard pass to All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 9, 2024

Dowell tried to get out of bounds and stop the clock — had he done so, there might have been 7 or 8 seconds left.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 24, 2023

I’ll buy time another way: Ask anyone over twenty-nine about their love life and you can stop the clock cold for fifteen minutes, minimum.

From "Better Nate Than Ever" by Tim Federle

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023