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Meaning & use

stay of execution

noun·Advanced

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UK/ˌsteɪ əv ˌek.sɪˈkjuː.ʃən/
US/ˌsteɪ əv ˌek.səˈkjuː.ʃən/

Meanings

  1. nouncountablelegal

    A court order that officially delays a punishment, especially a death sentence, so that it is not carried out yet.

    Grammar: Countable: a stay of execution, two stays of execution.

    Patterns

    • a stay of execution for someone
    • grant someone a stay of execution

    The judge granted a stay of execution while the appeal was heard.

    His lawyers asked for a stay of execution after new evidence appeared.

    The governor's stay of execution gave the family a few more weeks of hope.

  2. nouncountablefigurative

    A short delay before something bad that seemed certain, such as a closure or dismissal, actually happens.

    Grammar: Often figurative and used with get or win: the shop got a stay of execution.

    Patterns

    • win a stay of execution
    • a stay of execution for something

    The local cinema won a stay of execution when a donor paid its rent.

    The coach got a stay of execution after the team won its last match.

    The old bridge has a stay of execution until repairs are funded.

Word forms

pluralstays of execution

Common combinations

grant a stay of execution
The court agreed to grant a stay of execution.
win a stay of execution
The theatre won a stay of execution at the last minute.
apply for a stay of execution
They will apply for a stay of execution tomorrow.
temporary stay of execution
It was only a temporary stay of execution.
a last-minute stay of execution
A last-minute stay of execution saved the old library.

Synonyms and how they differ

reprieve
Reprieve is broader and more common in general talk, while stay of execution is the specific legal term.
postponement
Postponement just means delaying an event and carries none of the sense of avoiding punishment.
respite
Respite means a break from something unpleasant but does not suggest an official order.

Opposites

execution

Word family

stay noun
an official pause of legal action
execute verb
to carry out a sentence or plan
execution noun
the carrying out of a punishment or plan

Commonly confused: stay of execution or reprieve?

stay of execution vs reprieve

A reprieve can cancel a punishment completely, while a stay of execution usually only delays it.

Practice

The council gave the community garden a ___ until next spring, so it will not be closed yet.

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