take time out

English

Verb

take time out (third-person singular simple present takes time out, present participle taking time out, simple past took time out, past participle taken time out)

1. (idiomatic, often followed by from) To temporarily suspend an activity in order to do something else.
   • 2022 September 20, Danya Hajjaji, “‘Really nice guy’: Tom Hardy surprises competitors with entry and victory in martial arts contest”, in The Guardian‎^[1]:

     “Everyone recognised him but he was very humble and was happy to take time out for people to take photographs with him,” the spokesperson said. “It was a real pleasure to have him compete at our event.”

Related terms

• take the time
• take time
• time out, time-out

 

Further reading

• “take time out”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.
• “take time out (to do something)” in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Longman.