Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

bring up short

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: 4.98 in modern English

Syllables: bring up short
IPA

20

Scrabble Score

12

Letters

1

Syllables

11

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To arrest (someone or something's) forward motion; to halt before a goal is reached.

verb

To startle or interrupt (someone), causing them to stop or reevaluate what they are doing.

Example Sentences

"The soldiers spurred their horses forward but were brought up short by Lieutenant Montoya."
"Frowning, Guld stepped forward, but was brought up short by the guardsman's hand."
"As soon as its paws touched ground, it darted forward with an excited yelp, only to be brought up short by the ribbon around its neck."
"I suppose things can go well for just so long before events bring you up short."
"Some of us are lucky enough to have students who ask sharp questions that bring us up short and force us back to basic and difficult issues."
"The article was intended to bring readers up short, to prompt in them a thought or two about why they were doing what, day in and day out."

Inflected Forms

brings up short (present, singular) bringing up short (participle, present) brought up short (participle, past) brought up short (past)

Phrases

hit the buffers in one's tracks

Frequently Paired Words

hit the buffers in one's tracks

Synonyms

pull up short

Questions

What does bring up short mean?: To arrest (someone or something's) forward motion; to halt before a goal is reached.

How to pronounce bring up short

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “bring up short”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “bring up short”.
Repeat and practice — Say “bring up short” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.