Timeout

A period of temporary withdrawal or pause from an activity, interaction, or situation. Often used as a disciplinary measure for children, involving a brief separation from others to allow them to calm down and reflect on their behavior. Can also refer to a break in a sporting event for strategic planning or rest. Furthermore, timeout is used in various contexts to mean a temporary suspension of something, such as a computer operation or a negotiation, allowing for recalibration or to avoid escalation.

Timeout meaning with examples

• Little Timmy threw his toys across the room and was given a timeout by his mother. He sat quietly on the stairs until his mother signaled the time was over. Afterwards, Timmy learned what consequences could occur if he did not follow rules. The timeout gave him a moment to process the rules and the disruption that he caused. After that, he then apologized and helped to clean up the mess.
• During the basketball game, the coach called a timeout to strategize with the team and draw up a new play. They huddled together to discuss the upcoming plays, the new play gave the team a new perspective and gave them a fresh start. The timeout also allowed the players to catch their breath and regroup. After the timeout, the team executed the new play successfully.
• The negotiator called for a timeout during the heated discussion to allow both parties to cool down. They wanted to reset and consider new proposals and to revisit earlier points of contention. After the timeout, both parties were able to approach the topic with level heads. The timeout prevented the conversation from escalating and a compromise was eventually reached.
• The computer system experienced a timeout error while trying to access the database, forcing a temporary halt in processing. To resolve the issue, the IT team will need to review the configuration of the server. The timeout was necessary to prevent data corruption. After the system rebooted, it was able to connect and continue processing.