two-minute warning
Football's final alert
In American football, the two-minute warning is an official timeout that stops the clock when two minutes remain in each half, giving both teams a chance to strategize for the final plays.
The phrase extends beyond sports to signal that time is running short on any activity or deadline: The moderator gave the two-minute warning before closing questions.
It functions as a heads-up that something is about to end.
Duration-tracking mechanism
- clockDevice displaying time
- tickingRhythmic mechanical sound
- expiringCeasing to be valid
- stopwatchInterval timing device
final seconds · time remaining · dwindling · winding down · running out · time check · game clock · play clock
Mechanism linking engine to gearbox
- high-stakesInvolving significant consequences
- tensionStretched or strained state
- nervesTense apprehension
- crunch timeHigh-pressure final stretch
do-or-die · anxiety · intensity · desperation · momentum · composure · poise · mental toughness
Pro football organization
- gridironBarred frame for broiling
- fourth quarterLast of four segments
- second quarterMonths four through six
- halftimeMidpoint break in games
timeout · drive · no-huddle · spike · sideline · end zone · possession · downs
Rapid-tempo football strategy
- no-huddleRapid football offensive scheme
- adjustmentsChanges to improve fit
- gameplanPredetermined course of action
- executionCompleting a planned task
audible · two-point conversion · snap count · prevent defense · onside kick
Mix into disorder
- rushQuick sudden movement
- hasteExcessive quickness
- race against timeUrgent struggle before deadline
- last chanceUltimate remaining opportunity
critical moment · final push · all-out · frantic · Hail Mary · last-ditch · time-sensitive · sprint
timer
Duration-tracking mechanism
final seconds · stopwatch · time remaining · dwindling · winding down · running out · time check · game clock · play clock · timeout
clutch
Mechanism linking engine to gearbox
- high-stakesInvolving significant consequences
- tensionStretched or strained state
- nervesTense apprehension
crunch time · do-or-die · anxiety · intensity · desperation · momentum · composure · poise · mental toughness · choke
NFL
Pro football organization
- gridironBarred frame for broiling
- fourth quarterLast of four segments
- second quarterMonths four through six
halftime · timeout · drive · no-huddle · spike · sideline · end zone · possession · downs · snap
hurry-up offense
Rapid-tempo football strategy
- no-huddleRapid football offensive scheme
- adjustmentsChanges to improve fit
- gameplanPredetermined course of action
execution · audible · two-point conversion · snap count · prevent defense · onside kick
scramble
Mix into disorder
- rushQuick sudden movement
- hasteExcessive quickness
- race against timeUrgent struggle before deadline
last chance · critical moment · final push · all-out · frantic · Hail Mary · last-ditch · time-sensitive · sprint · accelerate
- footballfootball, touchdown, field goal, quarterback, end zone
- football officiatingreferee, penalty flag, yellow flag, false start, offside
- game periodsquarter, half, period, inning, set
- sports fandomfans, fan chants, foam finger, jersey, fan clubs
- sports rulesrulebook, violations, volleyball rules, rules, offside
- officiatingreferee, umpire, official, ref, linesman
two-minute warningpenalty flag
Signal for football fouls
delay of game · false start · personal foul · unsportsmanlike conduct · foul call