View synonyms for

time-out

noun

sport an interruption in play during which players rest, discuss tactics, or make substitutions
a break taken during working hours
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

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

Discover More

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.

Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Last time out in Saudi Arabia, McLaren's Oscar Piastri won his third race of the season to take the lead in the drivers' standings.

From

They were decent against Liverpool last time out, and still lost, but they won't have to play as well as they did at Anfield to take three points this time.

From

Coffey said after some "time out" she was now ready to apply her "political antennae" to her new role in the House of Lords.

From

After trying to search for music, the app appears to time out and displays a message reading "something went wrong" with a refresh button.

From

The third individual medal, not quite the colour he wanted, followed his time out of the sport after issues with alcohol and his mental health.

From

Related Words

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

timeout time out of mind

Browse