stop short
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.
Read the Latest from M-W
Word by Word Definitions
: to close by filling or obstructing
: to hinder or prevent the passage of
: to get in the way of : be wounded or killed by
: cessation, end
: a pause or breaking off in speech
: a graduated set of organ pipes of similar design and tone quality
: serving to stop : designed to stop
: having little length
: not tall or high : low
: not extended in time : brief
: in a curt manner
: for or during a brief time
: at a disadvantage : unawares
: the sum and substance : upshot
: a short syllable
: a short sound or signal
: short-circuit
: shortchange, cheat
: to sell (a security) short in expectation of a fall in prices
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up stop short? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!