time-out
B2informal, semi-formal (sports, tech, parenting contexts)
Definition
Meaning
A temporary suspension of activity, especially as a disciplinary measure for a child or as a break in a sports game.
A planned pause or cessation from normal activity, often to allow for rest, reflection, strategy, or cooling-off; also a digital command to stop a process due to inactivity.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a noun, often hyphenated; can be used metaphorically to mean 'a break from stress'. In computing, 'timeout' (one word, no hyphen) is common.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More commonly associated with parenting discipline in US English; in UK English, the sports usage is equally or more prominent. The digital/tech sense is universal.
Connotations
US: strongly linked to child discipline; UK: slightly more neutral, associated with sports pauses.
Frequency
Higher frequency in US English in everyday family/parenting contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Verb] + a time-out (call, take, request)[Be/Go] + in time-out[Give] + someone + a time-outVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Take a time-out from life”
- “Call time-out on something”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used metaphorically: 'We need a time-out to reassess the project timeline.'
Academic
Rare; appears in sports science or psychology papers regarding behaviour or game strategy.
Everyday
Common in parenting ('The toddler is in time-out') and informal breaks ('Let's take a time-out from this argument').
Technical
Computing: 'The connection timed out.' (Here often written as 'timeout' or 'time out' as verb.)
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The server may time you out if inactive.
- The referee timed out the match.
American English
- The system will time out after 10 minutes.
- I'm going to time out from social media.
adverb
British English
- They played time-out cautiously.
- (Rare usage)
American English
- He went time-out for two minutes.
- (Rare usage)
adjective
British English
- He served a time-out period.
- A time-out facility is available.
American English
- We took a time-out session.
- The time-out function is activated.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The baby is in time-out.
- We have a time-out in the game.
- The coach called a time-out to discuss strategy.
- My son had a time-out for bad behaviour.
- After the heated debate, she decided to take a personal time-out.
- The software issues a timeout error if the response is delayed.
- The negotiators agreed to a diplomatic time-out to consult their governments.
- Implementing a dynamic timeout protocol can enhance network resilience.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
TIME-OUT: Think of a sports referee forming a 'T' with hands to stop the clock – that's a TIME-OUT.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A GAME / STRESS IS HEAT (a time-out is a pause in the game or a cooling-off period).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid literal translation 'время вне' or 'выключение времени'. Use 'перерыв', 'таймаут', or 'пауза'. In parenting context, the concept is culturally specific and may be described as 'угол' or 'ставить в угол', but 'таймаут' is understood.
Common Mistakes
- Writing as one word 'timeout' in formal British English (though acceptable in tech). Using as a verb without hyphen: 'He was timed out' (correct in computing, but in parenting/sports, 'given a time-out' is safer).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'time-out' most likely to be written as a single word (timeout)?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, when used as a noun in most contexts (e.g., parenting, sports). In computing, 'timeout' (one word) is standard for the noun denoting a pre-set period. The verb phrase is often 'time out'.
Yes, but more commonly in computing/technical contexts (e.g., 'the connection timed out'). In everyday language, it's more natural to say 'take a time-out' or 'give someone a time-out'.
'Time-out' often implies a temporary suspension for a specific purpose (discipline, strategy, cooling off), while 'break' is more general and neutral. A time-out is a type of break with a connotation of stopping an ongoing activity.
Yes, it is widely understood, though it might be perceived as a slightly Americanised parenting term. Traditional UK terms like 'naughty step' or simply 'go to your room' are also common.