bring up short
The idiom "bring up short" is often used to describe situations where someone is made to stop suddenly, usually due to surprise or interruption.
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Definition
B2General
(informal)To cause someone to stop suddenly, often due to surprise or unexpected events.
Example
- The unexpected question brought her up short during the presentation.
B2Conversation
(informal)To interrupt someone abruptly, typically in their speech or actions.
Example
- He was brought up short by her sudden interjection.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "bring up short":
come shortstop shortcut shortrun shortshort ofgo shortbring upshort shriftcut it fineshort downcut it closefetch upfall behindcome up todown to the short strokesdraw the short strawcome a cropperrein upcome uptrip upcut down to sizeshort leghaul upshort apick up the slackdrop the ball