timeout
timeout — exclamation
1. a word you call out to make others stop arguing or fighting, usually so everyone
a word you call out to make others stop arguing or fighting, usually so everyone can calm down before talking further
Quinn shouted "Timeout!" and stepped between the two coworkers whose voices were rising.
standalone interjection to interrupt a disagreement
"Timeout — we are all saying the same thing," said Diego, holding up both hands.
The project manager called timeout when the discussion went in circles for twenty minutes.
"Timeout!" Baraka yelled, blocking the door so his roommates could not storm out angry.
文法句型
timeout! (as a standalone call)
常見錯誤
timeout — noun
1. a short pause in a sports contest when players stop to rest, get instructions fr
a short pause in a sports contest when players stop to rest, get instructions from their coach, or plan their next move
The coach called a timeout with ten seconds left to draw up a final play.
typical collocation: call a timeout
During the timeout, Hui drank water while her teammates huddled around the coach.
Christopher signaled for a timeout when his players looked exhausted and confused.
The basketball team saved its last timeout to stop the clock before the final shot.
After the timeout, the volleyball team came back and won three straight points.
- play
the active period of the game when the timeout is not happening
文法句型
call + a + timeout
take + a + timeout
timeout + period
用法筆記
Frequently combined with the verb 'call' — 'call a timeout' is the most common collocation. In most American sports, each team is allowed a limited number of timeouts per game, and using one wisely is part of the strategy.
常見錯誤
2. a short time when a child who has misbehaved must sit alone quietly away from ot
a short time when a child who has misbehaved must sit alone quietly away from others, to think about what they did wrong
After hitting his little sister, six-year-old Zayd had to sit in timeout for five minutes.
pattern: sit in timeout + duration
Diya sent her son to timeout after he threw his toys across the room.
The babysitter used a brief timeout to help the child calm down after a tantrum.
Cyrus sat in the timeout corner until he was ready to apologize to his sister.
Sumin drew on the wall with crayons, so her mother sent her to timeout. Afterward, Sumin helped clean the wall.
- quiet time
gentler tone; does not imply punishment, just calm
- cooling-off period
more formal; used for both children and adults, not specific to parenting
- playtime
the reward or normal activity that follows a timeout
文法句型
send + [child] + to timeout
put + [child] + in timeout
sit + in timeout
用法筆記
The phrase 'send [someone] to timeout' or 'put [someone] in timeout' is common among parents and teachers. Unlike the sports sense, 'timeout' as a disciplinary method is often uncountable — 'he is in timeout' rather than 'he is in a timeout.' The technique was popularized by parenting books in the 1970s.
常見錯誤
3. a situation where a computer, program, or internet connection automatically ends
a situation where a computer, program, or internet connection automatically ends a process because there has been no activity or response for a set amount of time
Yael got a timeout error while trying to pay for her groceries online.
common collocation: timeout error
The server timeout caused everyone in the office to lose their unsaved work.
compound noun: server timeout
When you see a timeout warning, refresh the browser and try to log in again.
Chiara's video call kept freezing and then showing a connection timeout notice.
The bank website has a short timeout for security reasons after you log in.
- disconnection
refers to the loss of connection itself, not the automatic termination
- expiry
emphasizes the time limit running out
- session end
more specific to login sessions; may be intentional
- connection
the active linked state before a timeout occurs
- response
the expected action that prevents a timeout
文法句型
timeout + error
timeout + message
connection + timeout
session + timeout
用法筆記
Common technological phrases include 'timeout error,' 'session timeout,' and 'connection timeout.' Regularly paired with the verb phrase 'time out' — for example, 'the page timed out.' Timeouts are often used as a security measure to prevent unauthorized access when a user walks away from their device.