call a timeout

Meaning

This phrase comes from sports, where a coach stops the game to discuss strategy or rest. In everyday life and entertainment, it means to temporarily stop an activity, discussion, or conflict to take a break, calm down, or reconsider a strategy.

Examples

• We have been arguing about this scene for an hour; let's call a timeout and grab some coffee.

  We have been arguing about this scene for an hour; let's call a timeout and grab some coffee.

• The director had to call a timeout during rehearsals because the actors were getting too exhausted.

  The director had to call a timeout during rehearsals because the actors were getting too exhausted.

• When the kids start fighting over the video games, I have to call a timeout.

  When the kids start fighting over the video games, I have to call a timeout.

• I need to call a timeout on this project to make sure we are still on the right track.

  I need to call a timeout on this project to make sure we are still on the right track.

• Let's call a timeout and discuss our next steps before we make a final decision.

  Let's call a timeout and discuss our next steps before we make a final decision.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We should make a timeout to rest.

  ✓ We should call a timeout to rest.

  Use the verbs 'call' (to officially pause) or 'take' (to experience the break), never 'make'.

• ✗ The boss called for a timeout.

  ✓ The boss called a timeout.

  While 'called for a break' is correct, the idiom 'call a timeout' is transitive and does not require the preposition 'for'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Things are getting way too stressful, so I think we need to ___ .

  💡 Use the base form of the verb after 'need to'.

  Show answer

  call a timeout

• The team was losing focus, so the manager decided to ___ and regroup.

  💡 This phrase means to pause the action to discuss strategy.

  Show answer

  call a timeout