time-out

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

Idioms and Phrases

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

If Huckabee runs, the hurdles he faced the last time out, namely geography and money, would still be there.

From The Daily Beast

Israeli elections means a time out And that brings us to the bottom line.

From The Daily Beast

Normally Democratic Silicon Valley opened up its wallets to the Republicans this time out.

From The Daily Beast

“[Perry] has a huge campus with seven or eight soundstages,” recalled Fincher, in Time Out Hong Kong.

From The Daily Beast

To be sure, Obama has not spent much political capital or much time out on the trail for Abercrombie or Schatz.

From The Daily Beast

Frequent calls for copies of my small book—by this time out of print—testified that this was actually the case.

From Project Gutenberg

The chapel has been ruined time out of mind, and is to-day but a motive for a sketch.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus, he took time out to warn them of Tarleton's plans and to urge them to delay the British as long as possible.

From Project Gutenberg

When they had pitched their tents and supper was started, the girls took time out to admire the scenery of their surroundings.

From Project Gutenberg

He was a portly man, wore a three-cocked hat, and an old scarlet cloak, which had served the same purpose time out of mind.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• breather
• letup
• lull