stop payment

American  

noun

1. an order by the account holder to the bank not to pay a specified check or other charge.

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stop payment British  

noun

1. an instruction to a bank by the drawer of a cheque to refuse payment on it

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stop payment Idioms  

1. Instruct a bank not to honor a check one has drawn, as in If that check was lost, we'll have to stop payment on it before issuing another. This usage was first recorded in 1722.

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Etymology

Origin of stop payment

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

People who stop payment on their cash advances often say they feel they have no other option.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 12, 2026

That way, if too much time has passed and the recipient hasn’t gotten the check, you can place a stop payment, Miller suggests.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 11, 2023

I said, all right, stop payment of the $750 million a year.

From New York Times • Nov. 16, 2022

"My next move is to stop payment through my bank or have them pursue the company for restitution," she added.

From Salon • May 17, 2022

If you can get a chance at real gold it’s all right, but it’s of no earthly use to steal checks that people can stop payment on.

From The Pursuit of the House-Boat Being Some Further Account of the Divers Doings of the Associated Shades, under the Leadership of Sherlock Holmes, Esq. by Bangs, John Kendrick