time it out
C1 informal separable transitive
In simple words
To figure out the exact timing so everything finishes at the right moment.
Literal meaning: To measure the time until something runs out or ends.
Meanings
1 C1
idiomatic
informal
To plan and calculate the timing of an activity so that it ends exactly when needed.
"If we time it out carefully, the fireworks will start exactly as the clock strikes midnight."
Grammar: separable
2 C1
idiomatic
neutral
To allow a process to run until a time limit is reached, after which it stops automatically.
"The app will time it out after five minutes of inactivity and lock the screen."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
The 'it' is often retained as a dummy pronoun even when an object is present. Used in project planning, event organising, and broadcasting. Informal and conversational in tone.
Commonly used with
schedule presentation speech race journey broadcast
Forms
Base
time it out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
times it out
he/she/it
Past simple
timed it out
yesterday
Past participle
timed it out
have + pp
-ing form
timing it out
continuous
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