out of service

IPA/ˌaʊtəv sˈɜːvɪs/
IPA/ˌaʊɾəv sˈɜːvɪs/

out of service — idiom

1. temporarily unavailable because it is broken, being repaired, or no longer opera

1.idiomB2
Definition

temporarily unavailable because it is broken, being repaired, or no longer operating

Example

The elevator is out of service, so residents must use the stairs.

is out of service

Two ticket machines were out of service during the morning rush.

were out of service

Common collocations
  • be out of service
  • remain out of service
  • take out of service
  • put back in service
  • temporarily out of service
Synonyms
Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

be out of service

remain out of service

take something out of service

put something back in service

Usage Note

Use this phrase for things that people normally use, such as elevators, machines, buses, phones, or public facilities. It does not usually describe a person who is ill or unavailable.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect: 'The elevator is out service.' Correct: 'The elevator is out of service.'

Use 'out of order' for many machines in everyday speech; 'out of service' is also common for public equipment, vehicles, and facilities.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: idiom/1

'Out of service' is often used for public equipment, vehicles, facilities, or systems that people normally expect to use. 'Out of order' is especially common for a broken machine. 'Unavailable' is broader and may simply mean something cannot be used right now. 'Not operating' is a plain descriptive phrase.

out of service ↗out of order ↗unavailable ↗not operating

Common collocations

Nouns

Verbs

Phrases

  • be out of service
  • remain out of service
  • temporarily out of service
  • currently out of service
  • put back in service