stop short stop short {v. phr.} To suddenly stop. Jake stopped short when he heard somebody yell out his name loud but there was no one in sight. Categories: add yours {v. phr.} Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms by A. Makkai, M.T. Boatner, J.E. Gates © 2024 To section: S Subscribe to: American IdiomsIdioms feedEnglish languageHome page and general feed Comment on this entry