stop
stop — verb
1. to end something you are currently doing rather than carrying on with it
to end something you are currently doing rather than carrying on with it
Camille stopped writing her essay when the phone rang.
stop + -ing form for ending an activity
The rain stopped just before the children went outside to play.
Please stop talking during the movie so everyone can hear the dialogue.
imperative: stop + -ing form
Zayd stopped reading his book and looked up at the teacher.
- stop + -ing
- stop + noun phrase
- stop what you are doing
Grammar Patterns
stop + -ing form
stop + noun phrase
Common Mistakes
2. to decide to end your involvement with something that causes displeasure or harm
to decide to end your involvement with something that causes displeasure or harm
Nadia stopped drinking coffee because it kept her awake at night.
stop + -ing form for giving up something unwanted
The school stopped serving fried food after parents complained.
Shirin stopped watching the news because it made her feel anxious.
Hugo stopped using social media for a month and felt much happier.
- stop + -ing (unwanted activity)
- stop using
- stop having
Grammar Patterns
stop + -ing form
Usage Note
Distinguish from the CEASE ACTIVITY sense: this sense specifically involves ending something you find unpleasant or harmful, whereas sense 1 simply means not continuing with any current activity.
Common Mistakes
3. for a machine, engine, or system to no longer function or be active; or to make
for a machine, engine, or system to no longer function or be active; or to make it stop functioning
The engine stopped suddenly, and the car rolled to the side of the road.
intransitive: machine as subject
Gita stopped the machine by pressing the red button.
transitive: cause a machine to stop
The heating system stopped working in the middle of winter.
collocation: stop working
The clock on the wall stopped at exactly three o'clock.
- engine stops
- machine stops
- clock stops
- system stops
- stop working
- stop running
- break down
implies the machine fails unexpectedly
- shut down
often used for computers or large systems
Grammar Patterns
stop + noun phrase (machine)
stop + -ing (working/running)
Usage Note
Subject is typically a machine, device, engine, appliance, or system. In transitive use, the object is the piece of equipment being turned off or brought to a halt.
Common Mistakes
4. when a moving person, vehicle, or object comes to a halt and stays still; or to
when a moving person, vehicle, or object comes to a halt and stays still; or to make something halt
The bus stopped at the corner and three passengers got off.
vehicle stops to let passengers on/off
The security guard stopped every car at the entrance to check IDs.
transitive: cause a vehicle to halt
A police officer held up his hand, and all the cars stopped.
Anjali stopped her bicycle when she saw the red light ahead.
The train stopped suddenly, and passengers nearly lost their balance.
- bus stops
- car stops
- stop at the traffic lights
- stop + vehicle
- stop + at + location
- go
to move or travel
- start moving
to begin to move
Grammar Patterns
stop + noun phrase (vehicle)
stop + at + place
stop + for + noun
Usage Note
Often used with vehicles and traffic. Can be transitive (to stop a car/bus/bicycle) or intransitive (the bus stopped).
Common Mistakes
❌ 'She stopped the car and turned off the engine.' (correct, but confusing with sense 3) — The HALT sense focuses on the act of ceasing movement; sense 3 is about the machine no longer working. A car can stop moving (sense 4) while the engine is still running.
5. to no longer do something that forms part of your usual routine or repeated beha
to no longer do something that forms part of your usual routine or repeated behaviour
Tamás stopped biting his nails when he turned fifteen.
stop + -ing form for ending a habit
The children stopped fighting after their father spoke to them.
Iker stopped checking his phone every five minutes during the holiday.
stop + -ing form with specific habit details
Ramón stopped eating meat after watching a film about animals.
- stop + -ing (habit)
- stop + noun (habit)
- stop biting
- stop smoking
- stop fighting
Grammar Patterns
stop + -ing form (habit)
Usage Note
Only sense that specifically refers to ending habitual or repetitive behaviour. Subject is always a person or group of people. Commonly used with bad habits or routines that the speaker wants to change.
Common Mistakes
6. to briefly interrupt what you are doing, especially while travelling or in the m
to briefly interrupt what you are doing, especially while travelling or in the middle of an activity, to rest or deal with something
We stopped for lunch at a small restaurant by the river.
stop + for + noun during a journey
The hikers stopped to rest when they reached the top of the hill.
stop + to-infinitive for purpose
Jessica stopped at the supermarket on her way home from work.
Yael stopped to help an old woman carry her bags up the stairs.
The tour bus stopped in three small towns before reaching the capital.
- stop + to-infinitive
- stop + for + noun
- stop + at + place
- stop + in + place
- pause
implies a brief, temporary break with the intention to continue
- take a break
more informal; emphasises rest rather than just halting
- continue
to keep going without a pause
Grammar Patterns
stop + to-infinitive
stop + for + noun
stop + at + place
Usage Note
Unlike sense 1 (CEASE ACTIVITY), this sense implies a temporary break intended to be followed by resumption. The purpose of the pause is often stated after 'to-infinitive' or 'for + noun'.
Common Mistakes
7. to take action so that someone cannot do what they plan to do, or so that an eve
to take action so that someone cannot do what they plan to do, or so that an event does not happen
Yumi's mother stopped her from going to the party after seeing the low grades.
stop + object + from + -ing verb
The security guard stopped the man from entering the building without a pass.
Nothing could stop old Mr. Chen from tending his garden every morning.
A flat tyre stopped us from reaching the airport in time for our flight.
inanimate subject causing prevention
- stop someone from doing something
- stop something from happening
- stop an attack
- stop a fight
- stop the spread
Grammar Patterns
stop + object + from + -ing verb
Usage Note
Often used in the pattern stop + object + from + -ing verb to describe what someone or something is prevented from doing.
Common Mistakes
8. to contact your bank and tell them not to process a cheque or payment that you h
to contact your bank and tell them not to process a cheque or payment that you have already written
Cole stopped the cheque after realising he had been charged twice for the same item.
stop + a cheque/payment
The company stopped payment on the invoice because the goods never arrived.
If you lose your cheque book, call your bank immediately to stop the cheques.
Omar stopped payment on the damaged furniture he had ordered last month.
- stop a cheque
- stop payment
- stop a payment
Grammar Patterns
stop + a cheque/payment
Usage Note
Used almost exclusively for banking and finance contexts. In American English, the spelling 'check' and 'checkbook' are used instead of 'cheque' and 'cheque book'.
9. to pause your journey and spend time somewhere, often overnight or as a guest at
to pause your journey and spend time somewhere, often overnight or as a guest at someone's home
On her road trip, Élise stopped at a small town inn for the night.
stop + at + place (during travel)
After dinner, the guests stopped for coffee and chatted until midnight.
Tamar stopped by the post office on her way to pick up a package.
We stopped at Aunt Mei's house for lunch during our drive south.
stop + at + someone's house (guest visit)
- stop at a hotel
- stop for coffee
- stop by
- stop overnight
- leave
to go away from a place
Grammar Patterns
stop + at/in + place
Usage Note
Intransitive — no direct object. Frequently followed by 'at' (a place), 'for' (a purpose), or 'by' (a brief visit). This sense is different from sense 6 (FINISH) which means pausing a journey rather than remaining somewhere.
Common Mistakes
10. to cover or obstruct an opening such as a hole or pipe so that liquids, air, or
to cover or obstruct an opening such as a hole or pipe so that liquids, air, or other things cannot pass through
A pile of wet leaves stopped the drain and water spread across the yard.
stop + drain/pipe (physical blockage)
Tamar used a cloth to stop the gap under the door and block the draft.
The kitchen sink stopped working because old grease had stopped the pipe.
Ritu stuffed a rolled-up towel under the door to stop the draft from the hallway.
- stop a hole
- stop a leak
- stop a pipe
- stop a gap
- stop the flow
Grammar Patterns
stop + a hole/opening/pipe
Usage Note
The object is typically a hole, pipe, drain, or gap. Can describe both deliberate actions (plugging a leak) and accidental blockages (grease stopping a pipe).
Common Mistakes
11. to win a boxing contest by making the referee decide that the other fighter is t
to win a boxing contest by making the referee decide that the other fighter is too hurt or has fallen too many times to continue
The champion stopped his opponent in the third round with a powerful punch.
stop + opponent in boxing context
The referee stopped the fight after Chiara had been knocked down three times.
Iris trained for eight months, hoping to stop the titleholder in the upcoming match.
The referee stopped the match in the final round to protect the losing boxer.
referee decision stops fight
- stop the fight
- stop the match
- stop an opponent
- lose to
to be defeated by an opponent
Grammar Patterns
stop + opponent
Usage Note
A technical term in boxing. The referee can 'stop the fight' if one boxer is too injured to continue. This sense is distinct from a knockout, though the result is the same.
12. to press your finger onto a string, or cover a hole on a wind instrument, so tha
to press your finger onto a string, or cover a hole on a wind instrument, so that the note produced is higher or lower in sound
To play a higher note on the violin, you stop the string with your fingertip.
stop + a string (violin string technique)
The guitarist stopped the string at the fifth fret to produce a clear sound.
Megan learned how to stop each hole on the recorder to play different notes.
The flute player stopped one hole with her thumb and blew gently into the mouthpiece.
stop + a hole (wind instrument technique)
- stop a string
- stop a hole
- stop a note
- stopped note
Grammar Patterns
stop + a string/hole on an instrument
Usage Note
A specialised musical term used for string instruments (violin, guitar) and wind instruments (recorder, flute). On string instruments, stopping means pressing the string against the fingerboard; on wind instruments, it means covering a finger hole.
stop by
phrasal verbto visit someone or a place for a short time, especially on the way to another place
Can you stop by the pharmacy on your way home and pick up my medicine?
Aunt Rosa stopped by for tea on her way back from the market.
stop off
phrasal verbto make a short visit somewhere while travelling to your final destination
We stopped off at a small village to buy fresh bread before continuing the drive.
Mateo stopped off in Madrid for two nights on his way from Barcelona to London.
stop over
phrasal verbto stay somewhere for a night or longer when you are on a long journey
The flight from Sydney to Frankfurt stops over in Dubai for three hours.
We decided to stop over in Kyoto for a few days on our way to Tokyo.
stop in
phrasal verbTo make a short visit somewhere, especially on the way to another place.
I'll stop in at the library on my way home.
Did you stop in to see your grandmother yesterday?
stop out
phrasal verbTo stay out late at night, especially for social activities.
The teenagers stopped out until midnight at the party.
She stopped out late with her friends last night.
stop up
phrasal verbTo block or fill a hole or opening so that nothing can pass through.
He stopped up the crack in the wall with plaster.
Please stop up the bottle with a cork.
stop at nothing
idiomto be willing to do anything, even extreme or dishonest things, to achieve a goal
The company stopped at nothing to win the contract, including bribing officials.
Hana stopped at nothing to get into her dream university, studying every evening for two years.
stop dead
idiomto suddenly stop moving or stop what you are doing, often because of surprise or shock
When Priya saw the snake in the garden, she stopped dead and held her breath.
The music stopped dead when the power went out in the middle of the concert.
stop short of
idiomto almost do something but decide not to do it at the last moment
Hiroshi stopped short of telling his boss what he really thought about the decision.
The government stopped short of banning the protest but placed strict limits on it.
stop the clock
idiomTo pause the timer during a timed event or game.
The referee stopped the clock after the player was injured.
Did the coach stop the clock during the timeout?
To cause someone to suddenly stop because of surprise or fear, or to stop suddenly yourself.
The sudden loud noise stopped Maya in her tracks.
He froze in his tracks when he saw the snake.
To suddenly stop an action, or to cause someone to suddenly stop.
She stopped short when she realized her mistake.
His angry tone stopped me short.
To almost do something but decide not to because of possible risks.
The manager stopped short of firing the employee.
They stopped short of making a formal complaint.
stop — noun
1. a time when you pause what you are doing, especially to rest before continuing a
a time when you pause what you are doing, especially to rest before continuing a trip or task
After a brief stop for coffee, the group continued their hike up the mountain.
a brief stop for [noun]
The train came to a sudden stop when a cow wandered onto the tracks.
come to a stop
Lien took a short stop during her run to stretch her sore muscles.
We drove for six hours without a single stop along the highway.
The unexpected stop on the motorway caused long delays for commuters.
- brief stop
- short stop
- sudden stop
- make a stop
- come to a stop
- without a stop
Usage Note
Often used with 'make', 'come to', or 'take' — for example, make a stop, come to a stop, or take a short stop. This sense is countable and usually appears in the singular form.
2. a fixed place along a road where buses or trains pick up and drop off passengers
a fixed place along a road where buses or trains pick up and drop off passengers
Mei waited at the bus stop for twenty minutes before the number 42 arrived.
wait at the bus stop
Rin asked the driver to stop at the next stop so she could get off.
There is a bus stop right outside the school gates.
Christopher missed his stop because he fell asleep on the bus.
miss one's stop
The hospital bus stop has a bench where elderly passengers can sit while they wait.
- bus stop
- train stop
- next stop
- miss a stop
- get off at a stop
- wait at the stop
Usage Note
This sense is always a countable noun. In British English, bus stop refers to a roadside sign where buses stop; in American English it covers both the sign and the general area.
Common Mistakes
3. the act of ending something unpleasant, harmful, or unwanted by taking action ag
the act of ending something unpleasant, harmful, or unwanted by taking action against it
The new security measures put a stop to the frequent thefts in the warehouse.
put a stop to [something]
The manager brought a stop to the wasteful spending after reviewing the monthly budget.
bring a stop to [something]
The police demanded an immediate stop to the illegal dumping near the river.
Heloísa called for a stop to unfair treatment of junior staff at the factory.
- put a stop to
- bring a stop to
- call for a stop
- demand a stop
- immediate stop
Grammar Patterns
put a stop to [something]
bring a stop to [something]
Usage Note
Most commonly found in the fixed expressions 'put a stop to [something]' and 'bring a stop to [something]'. The subject is usually a person, group, or authority figure who has the power to intervene.
Common Mistakes
4. a small dot (.) that writers place to show a sentence is finished or to mark a s
a small dot (.) that writers place to show a sentence is finished or to mark a shortened word such as 'Dr.' or 'etc.'
Rachid forgot to put a stop at the end of his final paragraph.
put a stop at the end of
In formal British English, a stop is used after abbreviations such as 'Dr.' or 'Mr.'
Every sentence in the essay must end with a stop, the teacher reminded the class.
Talia's English teacher circled every missing stop in her composition with a red pen.
- put a stop
- end with a stop
- missing stop
Usage Note
Primarily British English — speakers in the United States usually call this a 'period'. This sense is interchangeable with 'full stop' in UK usage.
5. a consonant produced when a speaker blocks the air-stream inside the mouth compl
a consonant produced when a speaker blocks the air-stream inside the mouth completely and then lets it out in a single burst
The sounds /p/, /t/, and /k/ are examples of stops in English pronunciation.
/p/, /t/, /k/ are stops
Linguistics students practise making stop sounds by holding their breath briefly before releasing it.
A stop is different from a fricative because the air is completely blocked at first.
Kian learned to identify each stop by feeling his tongue close against his palate.
- voiced stop
- voiceless stop
- glottal stop
- stop consonant
- fricative
a consonant made with partial air obstruction, not full blockage
- continuant
a sound produced without complete closure of the vocal tract
Usage Note
This is a technical term in phonetics. The more common name for the general reader is 'plosive'. Voiced stops include /b/, /d/, /g/; voiceless stops include /p/, /t/, /k/.
6. on a pipe organ, a small knob or lever that the player pulls or pushes to contro
on a pipe organ, a small knob or lever that the player pulls or pushes to control which set of pipes produces sound, changing the musical tone
Élise pulled out the large stop on the organ to make the music sound deeper.
pull out a stop
Each stop on the organ controls a different set of pipes inside the wooden instrument.
The organist pushed all of the stops in, producing only the softest possible tone.
In the old cathedral, the organ has fifty stops, each producing a unique musical colour.
- pull out a stop
- push in a stop
- draw a stop
- organ stop
Usage Note
The phrase 'pull out all the stops' (meaning to use all available resources or effort) is derived from this sense — pulling out every stop on an organ produces the loudest and fullest sound.
Common Mistakes
7. a thing that fills an opening or presses against a moving part in order to keep
a thing that fills an opening or presses against a moving part in order to keep something in place or stop it from going any further
Élise pulled the rubber stop out of the sink to let the water drain away.
pull out a stop (remove a plug from an opening)
A small metal stop on the closet door keeps the handle from hitting the wall.
door stop — device that limits the motion of a door
The plumber found a lump of grease acting as a stop inside the kitchen pipe.
act as a stop (form an obstruction)
Rohan wedged a wooden stop under his car wheel to keep it from rolling.
wedge a stop — insert a block to prevent movement
Kian removed the rubber stop from the bathroom tap and cleaned out the debris.
- pull out a stop
- remove a stop
- wedge a stop
- act as a stop
- rubber stop
- metal stop
- wooden stop
- door stop
- window stop
- plug
more specific for filling a hole in a pipe, sink, or container to prevent liquid from passing through
- stopper
used especially for bottle or sink plugs; more common than 'stop' in everyday household language
- block
a solid piece that fills a space, often larger and made of wood or metal; can be temporary or permanent
- obstruction
more formal; emphasises that something is blocking a passage or view
Usage Note
Frequently used with verbs like pull out, remove, wedge, or act as to describe inserting, taking out, or functioning as the object.
stop — adjective
1. describes a control, part, instruction, or mark whose purpose is to block moveme
describes a control, part, instruction, or mark whose purpose is to block movement, stop the flow of something, or end an operation
Tunde pressed the stop button on the washing machine when he heard a strange noise.
stop + noun (button) describing a control
A plumber came to replace the old stop valve on the hot water pipe.
stop + noun (valve) describing a flow-stopping device
Nellie asked her bank to place a stop payment on the cheque that was stolen.
stop + noun (payment) describing an instruction
A thick white stop line at the junction tells cyclists where to wait safely.
stop + noun (line) describing a traffic marking
Always check that the emergency stop switch is visible and easy to reach.
collocation: emergency stop switch
- stop button
- stop valve
- stop sign
- stop line
- stop payment
- stop order
- stop switch
- stop signal
- emergency stop
Grammar Patterns
stop + noun — used as an attributive adjective before the noun it describes
Usage Note
Always used before a noun (attributive position). Unlike most adjectives, it cannot follow a linking verb (❌ 'The button is stop') and has no comparative or superlative forms.
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
Stop is the most general and common word — you can stop any action, movement, or process. Cease is more formal and suggests something ends completely or permanently, like 'the company ceased operations.' Halt is stronger and often describes sudden or forceful stopping, such as 'work halted after the accident.' Pause means a brief, temporary stop followed by resumption, like 'she paused to catch her breath.' Quit is informal and strongly associated with habits, jobs, or activities you walk away from ('he quit smoking'). End focuses on reaching the final stage rather than interrupting ('the movie ends at nine'). In everyday conversation, stop covers most situations naturally.
Common collocations
Nouns
- stop sign
- bus stop
- stop button
- emergency stop
- stop signal
Phrases
- come to a stop
- put a stop to
- stop at nothing
- stop dead
- without stopping
- stop short of
Etymology
Stop comes from Old English *stoppian*, meaning 'to block up or close a hole.' The word was reinforced by Latin *stuppare* ('to stop up with fibres') and gradually broadened over time to refer to halting movement, ending activities, and preventing actions.