Showing results for "time-out"

• a variation of timeout.

Jump To:

• time-out
  time-out

  noun

  sport an interruption in play during which players rest, discuss tactics, or make substitutions
• time out
  time out

  A short break from work or play; also, a punishment for misbehavior in young children in which they are briefly separated from the group. For example, People rush around so much these days that I think everyone should take some time out now and then, or We don't throw food, Brian; you need some time out to think about it. This expression comes from a number of sports in which it signifies an interruption in play where the officials stop the clock, for purposes of rest, making a substitution, or consultation. Its figurative use dates from the mid-1900s.

time-out

British  

noun

1. sport an interruption in play during which players rest, discuss tactics, or make substitutions

2. a break taken during working hours

3. computing a condition occurring when the amount of time a computer has been instructed to wait for another device to perform a task has expired, usually indicated by an error message

---

verb

1. (intr) (of a computer) to stop operating because of a time-out

time out Idioms  

1. A short break from work or play; also, a punishment for misbehavior in young children in which they are briefly separated from the group. For example, People rush around so much these days that I think everyone should take some time out now and then, or We don't throw food, Brian; you need some time out to think about it. This expression comes from a number of sports in which it signifies an interruption in play where the officials stop the clock, for purposes of rest, making a substitution, or consultation. Its figurative use dates from the mid-1900s.

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

time-out time out

The public saw all that and could only wonder: Hasn’t C.K.’s time-out lasted long enough?

From Salon ● Jul. 3, 2026

He described feeling nauseous and took an off-court medical time-out but he was a shadow of his usual self when he returned.

From BBC ● May 28, 2026

Calling for time-out as accusations flew and tempers flared, faithful John said: "Everyone stop talking just for 10 seconds and sit down, we've all gone from zero to 1,000 and it's just gone crazy."

From BBC ● Jan. 10, 2026

“When we finally got let out of our collective time-out corner, we really wanted to go do stuff,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 27, 2025

There was sweat running down Coach Johnson’s cheeks during our time-out huddle; his sports coat was off and his armpits were soaked.

From "Here to Stay" by Sara Farizan

One time out of a million the press might choose to lie or cover up the truth for what it considers higher reasons.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026

We saw some real character from France to stay calm in the face of the provocation they got from Paraguay last time out, and we already knew about their quality.

From BBC ● Jul. 8, 2026

“We call a time out, point out the bat, and the ump comes over and says, ‘Oh yeah, that’s illegal’… It counts as an out and we win the game.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 26, 2026

I saw their big win over Uzbekistan last time out, but this will be far tougher.

From BBC ● Jun. 24, 2026

Palmer snapped open the Sprite and drank the can empty, taking time out only to gasp for breath.

From "Wringer" by Jerry Spinelli

Related Words

• breather
• letup
• lull