stop short

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Also, stop one short. Check abruptly, as in When we tried to cross the street, the barrier stopped us short. [Early 1300s]

Cause someone to stop speaking, as in I was about to tell them the date when my father stopped me short. [Late 1800s]

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.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Words nearby stop short

stopping power, stopple, stop press, stop price, stops, stop short, stop sign, stop someone's clock, stop street, stopt, stop the clock

How to use stop short in a sentence

Cameron said no, reasoning that Scotland was likely to opt for greater devolution but would stop short of total independence.
Anarchy for the U.K.? British Leaders Panicking Over Scottish Vote for Independence|Nico Hines|September 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He does stop short of making Anders just another Wall Street moustache-twirler.
Ted Thompson’s Debut Novel Features A 1 Percenter As Its Hero|Stefan Beck|May 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Betting that the sides will stop short of an all-out war is an increasingly risky gamble.
War in Gaza Poses Risks for All Sides|Dan Ephron|November 16, 2012|DAILY BEAST
We wanted the Northern Alliance to stop short of Kabul when the Taliban fled the city.
Behind the Libya War|Peter Beinart|March 21, 2011|DAILY BEAST

However rapid her spring might be, however slippery the stone she was on, she would always stop short at the word "Mignonne."
A Passion in the Desert|Honore de Balzac
Then when he caught a faint whiff of the game, he would stop short, and look around, and wag his tail.
Blazed Trail Stories|Stewart Edward White
Those two worthies would go as far as they dared, but they would stop short of any desperate work.
Motor Matt's Daring, or, True to His Friends|Stanley R. Matthews
Thirdly, once they have established a reputation for themselves they become so chesty that they stop short of nothing.
Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians|Martin Luther
"You need not stop short," said his father, with a sardonic look for the concluding lines.
Rhoda Fleming, Complete|George Meredith

stop short

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How to use stop short in a sentence