Stop short
1.
Also, stop one short. Check abruptly, as in When we tried to cross the street, the barrier stopped us short. [ Early 1300s ]
2.
Cause someone to stop speaking, as in I was about to tell them the date when my father stopped me short. [ Late 1800s ]
3.
stop short of. Not go so far as to do or say something. For example, He may embroider the truth but he stops short of actually lying. This usage was first recorded in 1818.
Read Also:
- Stop-sign
noun 1. a traffic sign requiring a motorist to stop before continuing.
- Stop-street
noun 1. a street at the intersections of which all traffic must stop before continuing.
- Stopt
verb, Archaic. 1. a simple past tense and past participle of stop. verb (used with object), stopped or (Archaic) stopt; stopping. 1. to cease from, leave off, or discontinue: to stop running. 2. to cause to cease; put an end to: to stop noise in the street. 3. to interrupt, arrest, or check (a course, […]
- Stop thrust
noun 1. (fencing) another name for stop (sense 29)
- Stop-volley
noun, Tennis. 1. a softly hit volley that barely falls over the net and cannot be reached for a return.