Redding Out

Redding out (or "to red out') indicates that a person has reached their limits in play, and is stopping the play immediately. This is usually done by the submissive using a safe word, but may also be initiated by the Top, perhaps because of an injury, a trigger, or other sudden emergency situation. Redding out in a scene does not always indicate a negative situation, though frequently it is used when play has had to stop suddenly and abruptly. It can also occur for simple or positive reasons, such as a participant realizing a kink is absolutely not for them (even if they thought it was), a sudden cramp, or just total (if pleasurable) exhaustion. ### Origins of the Term The term comes from the commonly used safe word system, which uses "red light," "green light," and "yellow light" to indicate whether play should proceed, slow down, or stop. Because the use of a safe word is the most common way redding out happens, it's commonly known under that term.