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.

Related Words

• abort 
• break off 
• curtail 
• halt 
• hinder 
• interrupt 
• postpone 
• quit 
• shorten 
• terminate