stop short

idiom

Definition of stop short

: to stop or be stopped just before doing or reaching something I had to slam on the brakes when the car in front of me stopped short. He was about to say something, then stopped short. —often + of The boss said that she was unhappy with some employees, but she stopped short of naming which ones.The running back was stopped short of the goal line.

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Dictionary Entries near stop short

stop (someone) in his/her tracks

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