cooling-off period
cooling-off period — noun
1. A legally protected span of time that starts when a contract is signed or a deal
A legally protected span of time that starts when a contract is signed or a deal is reached, giving a buyer the chance to cancel without paying a penalty, or letting opposing groups pause and try to resolve a disagreement before acting.
The gym told Dewi she had a 14-day cooling-off period to cancel her membership.
duration pattern: [number]-day cooling-off period
Piotr changed his mind during the cooling-off period and got a full refund.
collocation: during the cooling-off period
The teachers' union agreed to a 30-day cooling-off period before deciding on a strike.
pattern: a cooling-off period of [duration]
When Ishaan bought his car, the dealer explained the cooling-off period for returns.
Lara returned her online dress during the cooling-off period after deciding it did not fit.
consumer context: cancel an online purchase
- 14-day cooling-off period
- 7-day cooling-off period
- statutory cooling-off period
- cooling-off period clause
- within the cooling-off period
- during the cooling-off period
- waiting period
a more general term that does not imply cancellation rights or dispute resolution
- cancellation period
focuses specifically on the right to cancel a purchase; narrower than cooling-off period
Grammar Patterns
the + ~ + of + [duration]
a + ~ + to + infinitive
Usage Note
Commonly appears with a specific number of days (e.g., 14-day, 7-day) and the preposition 'during' or 'within'. In consumer law, the period typically starts on the day the contract is signed or the goods are received.