Stop the clock
phrase
To pause a timed activity or event.
During the basketball game, the referee will stop the clock whenever there is a violation.
Often appears as...
- referee stop the clock
- stop the clock game
phrase
To delay something temporarily or indefinitely.
The pandemics situation forced us to stop the clock on our travel plans.
Often appears as...
- stop the clock on plans
- stop the clock on project
Usage tips
Neutral
Idiomatic
phrase
To keep something from aging or appearing to age.
With her ageless beauty, it seems like she somehow managed to stop the clock.
Often appears as...
- stop the clock on aging
- stop the clock on time
Usage tips
Approving
Idiomatic
phrase
To pause a timed activity or event.
During the basketball game, the referee will stop the clock whenever there is a violation.
Often appears as...
- referee stop the clock
- stop the clock game
phrase
To delay something temporarily or indefinitely.
The pandemics situation forced us to stop the clock on our travel plans.
Often appears as...
- stop the clock on plans
- stop the clock on project
Usage tips
Neutral
Idiomatic
phrase
To keep something from aging or appearing to age.
With her ageless beauty, it seems like she somehow managed to stop the clock.
Often appears as...
- stop the clock on aging
- stop the clock on time
Usage tips
Approving
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Sports Context
Used extensively in sports to indicate a timeout or break in the action.
The coach signaled to stop the clock after the player's injury.
Pro Tip 2/3Time-Sensitive
Implies urgency or a critical moment where every second counts.
As the deadline approached, we had to stop the clock to resolve the issue.
Pro Tip 3/3Temporary Pause
Indicates a short interruption, not the end of the activity.
The match continued after they stopped the clock to check the score.
Pro Tip 1/3Sports Context
Used extensively in sports to indicate a timeout or break in the action.
The coach signaled to stop the clock after the player's injury.
Pro Tip 2/3Time-Sensitive
Implies urgency or a critical moment where every second counts.
As the deadline approached, we had to stop the clock to resolve the issue.
Pro Tip 3/3Temporary Pause
Indicates a short interruption, not the end of the activity.
The match continued after they stopped the clock to check the score.
Pro Tip 1/3Sports Context
Used extensively in sports to indicate a timeout or break in the action.
The coach signaled to stop the clock after the player's injury.
Pro Tip 2/3Time-Sensitive
Implies urgency or a critical moment where every second counts.
As the deadline approached, we had to stop the clock to resolve the issue.
Pro Tip 3/3Temporary Pause
Indicates a short interruption, not the end of the activity.
The match continued after they stopped the clock to check the score.
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