pit stop
Plural
pit stops
1
a brief pause during a race where a vehicle enters the pit area for maintenance, tire changes, or repairs
A pit stop is a short stop made during a race, where a vehicle pulls into the pit area for maintenance, repairs, or to change tires. This is commonly seen in motorsports like Formula One, NASCAR, or endurance racing. During a pit stop, the crew performs tasks like refueling, tire changes, adjusting the car’s settings, or fixing any damage. The goal is to make these changes as quickly as possible to minimize the time the car is off the track, allowing the driver to return to the race and continue competing.
2
a short stop in the middle of a trip to refuel, eat some food, use a restroom, or just get some rest
The idiom "pit stop" finds its origin in the world of motorsports, particularly in the context of car racing. During a race, drivers make "pit stops" to refuel, change tires, make necessary repairs, and perform quick maintenance on their vehicles. These stops are essential for the driver's performance and the car's overall functionality. Over time, the term has been adopted into everyday language to describe any brief stop made during a journey, whether for refueling, eating, using a restroom, or getting some rest.
- We made a pit stop for some food before getting back on the highway.
- We're driving to our vacation destination, and we'll make a pit stop at the rest area in about an hour.
- The road trip was long, so we had to make several pit stops along the way to stretch our legs and grab a bite to eat.
- The flight from New York to London includes a pit stop in Reykjavik for refueling and maintenance.
- During the cross-country bus journey, passengers were grateful for the occasional pit stops to freshen up and have a quick meal.