Meanings
- Unable to work or function, often due to a particular event.
In 2004, after heavy rain fell on sodden ground, floods put the line out of action from February until May.
2020 August 26, Andrew Mourant, “Reinforced against future flooding”, in Rail, page 611 more example
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.]
1960 January, “Talking of Trains: The Seven Bridge disaster”, in Trains Illustrated, page 5
Cite this entry
out of action. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/out%20of%20action
“out of action.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/out%20of%20action. Accessed November 4, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “out of action,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/out%20of%20action.
Source: out of action on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.