lapse of time
noun
ukus[C,usually singular](alsotime lapse)
aperiodoftimethatpasses:
There was aconsiderablelapseoftimebetweenagreementbeingobtainedandworkactuallygoingahead.
[C,usually singular,orU]LAW
thereasonfor alegalagreementending, because anagreedtimelimithaspassed:
Thecontractshad beenterminatedbecause they hadexpiredbylapseoftime.