pit-stop

Noun

pit stop (plural pit stops)

1. A stop made during an automobile race at the pit to refuel and perform other periodic maintenance on the vehicle.
   • Alonso and Ferrari may well privately regret the decision to delay their second pit stop until two laps after Maldonado made his on the 24th of 66 laps.2012 May 13, Andrew Benson, “Williams's Pastor Maldonado takes landmark Spanish Grand Prix win”, in BBC Sport
2. (informal) A brief stop for fuel, rest or refreshment during an automobile journey.
   • I had to make a couple of pit stops along the way from Cadiz to Santiago de Compostela to give myself a break.
3. (informal) A stop during any pedestrian or automobile travel for any utilitarian personal purpose, especially use of a bathroom.
4. (informal) A place that offers food, beverages, and other goods and services for those stopping on an automobile journey.
5. (figuratively, informal) A utilitarian stop on a figurative journey.