stop short
The phrase "stop short" is commonly used to describe both sudden physical halts and the voluntary cessation of actions or speech.
Definition
B2General
(idiomatic)To suddenly cease moving or progressing before reaching a planned point or goal.
Example
- I had to slam on the brakes when the car in front of me stopped short.
B2General
(idiomatic)To abruptly halt an action or speech before it is fully completed or expressed.
Example
- He was about to reveal the secret but stopped short.
B2General
(idiomatic, with of)To voluntarily cease an attempt to reach a certain point or to decide not to do or say something, even though you almost did.
Example
- She criticized the team but stopped short of naming individuals.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "stop short":
come shortbring up shortrun shortcut shortshort ofgo shortshort ashort downstop outhard stopshort circuitstop offshort stuffdown to the short strokesshort shrifthead off at the passput the brakes onshort viewshort formshort legcut cornerssafety stopcut it close