out of action

English

Prepositional phrase

out of action

1. Unable to work or function, often due to a particular event.
   • 1960 January, “Talking of Trains: The Seven Bridge disaster”, in Trains Illustrated, page 5:

     Press reports of the length of time the bridge is likely to be out of action vary greatly, but Mr. Farr gathers that a temporary structure may be ready in six months; complete reconstruction, however, will take at least two years. [It was never rebuilt or replaced, and demolished instead.]

   • 2020 August 26, Andrew Mourant, “Reinforced against future flooding”, in Rail, page 61:

     In 2004, after heavy rain fell on sodden ground, floods put the line out of action from February until May.

See also

• out of service

References

• “out of action”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.