Meaning of Time-out | Babel Free

Definitions

1. A short break in the action of a sport, for substitution, consultation, etc.
2. A break from a tense, heated or stressful situation (often enforced, sometimes as a disciplinary measure); a cooling-off period.
   childish
3. The abortion of an incomplete task after a time limit considered long enough for it to end normally.

Equivalents

Examples

“We're being beaten! We need a time-out!”

“I'm going to take a brief time-out from this job.”

“Hitting people is not acceptable! Go to your room and take a time-out!”

“As punishment, my mom gave me a 15-minute time-out.”

CEFR level