noun
plural lapses
[count] an occurrence in which you fail to think or act in the usual or proper way for a brief time and make a mistake
an occurrence in which someone behaves badly for usually a short period of time
a change that results in worse behavior
a period of time between events - often + of
the ending of something that happens when the payments necessary for it to continue are not made - often + of
verb
lapses; lapsed; lapsing
[no obj]
to stop for usually a brief time
to become no longer effective or valid
lapse into
[phrasal verb]
lapse into (something)
to begin using or doing (something that should be avoided) for a short period of time
to begin to be in (a worse or less active state or condition)
US