call (a) time (on/-out)
Meaning(s)
1. bring something to an end, take a short break from something
Popularity
High
Professional
High
Social
How to Memorize
call time on a career/relationship
Analysis
A time out can refer to a rest or break from work or study or a break in play in sport or a game. To call a time out means to initiate a rest or a break. To 'call time' on something means to end something or to decide it is 'time up' or not to spend any more time on it.
Social Examples (Basic)
- The footballer called time on his playing career after being unable to recover from his latest injury.
- Look guys, I'm calling a time-out, I need to go and get a drink. We can pick the game up again in a few minutes.
- David and Catherine have been arguing a lot recently, which is one of the reasons he wants to call time on their relationship.
Professional Examples (Basic)
- This meeting has been dragging on for a while, so let's call a time-out so we can freshen up and stretch our legs, then meet back here in 15 minutes.
- The discussion got so heated in the board room that I had to call a time out on the whole meeting.