INDEX:
to stop doing something
1. to stop doing something
2. what you say when you tell someone to stop doing something
3. to stop doing something without successfully completing it
4. to stop doing an activity that you used to do regularly
5. to stop a bad or unhealthy habit
6. to stop having a particular type of food or drink
7. to stop working at the end of the day or during the day
8. to stop working at the end of your working life
9. words for describing something that you are unable to stop doing
to stop moving
10. to stop walking, running etc
11. when a vehicle stops moving
12. when a bus, train etc regularly stops at particular places
13. to make someone stop moving
to stop happening
14. to stop happening
15. to gradually stop happening
to stop something that is happening
16. to make something stop happening or continuing
17. to stop something quickly before it has time to develop
18. to stop normal work or services from continuing
19. to end the use of a system, service, or organization
20. to stop something bad or illegal that people are doing
21. to stop opposition to a government
22. to end a relationship
23. a process that cannot be stopped
to prevent something from happening
24. to prevent someone from doing what they want to do
25. to make sure that something does not happen
26. to prevent a plan or action from succeeding
27. to stop people from expressing their opinions
28. to stop yourself from having or showing a feeling
29. a problem that prevents you from achieving something
30. to prevent someone from going somewhere
31. intended to prevent something happening
32. something that can be prevented
RELATED WORDS
opposite
↑ START
to finish doing something : ↑ FINISH
to stop for a short time : ↑ PAUSE
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1. to stop doing something
▷ stop /stɒpǁstɑːp/ [intransitive/transitive verb]
to no longer do something that you had been doing :
▪ He wrote quickly, but from time to time he stopped and looked out of the window.
stop doing something
▪ I stopped reading and turned out the light.
▪ Please will you all stop making so much noise!
stop what you are doing
▪ Could you stop what you are doing and pay attention, please?
stop for lunch/coffee/a break etc
▪ What time do you want to stop for lunch?
▷ finish /ˈfɪnɪʃ/ [intransitive/transitive verb]
to stop doing something because you have completed it :
▪ She spoke for ten minutes, and when she had finished the audience cheered.
▪ We should have finished the job by next week.
finish doing something
▪ Have you finished reading the papers?
▪ After you’ve finished painting the house you can start on the garage.
▷ quit /kwɪt/ [intransitive/transitive verb] especially American, spoken
to stop doing something, especially something that annoys other people :
quit doing something
▪ I wish he’d quit bothering me.
▪ They should quit complaining and just get on with their job!
▷ cease /siːs/ [intransitive/transitive verb] formal
to stop doing something :
▪ All conversation ceased as the two police officers entered.
▪ The factory has now ceased production and will close next month.
cease doing something
▪ The mill ceased operating commercially two years ago.
cease to do something
▪ Many of these firms have now ceased to exist.
2. what you say when you tell someone to stop doing something
▷ stop /stɒpǁstɑːp/ [intransitive/transitive verb] spoken :
▪ Stop what you’re doing when the buzzer sounds.
stop doing something
▪ Will you please stop talking and listen to me!
stop it/that
▪ Stop it! You’re hurting me.
▷ quit /kwɪt/ [intransitive/transitive verb] American spoken
say this to tell someone to stop doing something because it annoys you :
quit it/that
▪ Quit that! You’re driving me crazy.
▪ I hated the way she was teasing me. ‘Quit it!’ I said.
quit doing something
▪ Quit fooling around and pay attention.
▷ cut it out also pack it in British /ˌkʌt ɪt ˈaʊt, ˌpæk ɪt ˈɪn/ [verb phrase]
use this to tell someone to stop doing something because it annoys you :
▪ Come on, you two, cut it out!
▪ Just cut it out, Jim. Stop acting like a kid.
▪ Oh, pack it in you lot, or we’re going straight home.
▷ lay off /ˌleɪ ˈɒf/ [intransitive/transitive phrasal verb]
say this when you want someone to stop doing or saying something that is annoying you :
▪ Look, I don’t want to argue with you, so just lay off.
▪ Lay off the swearing, if you don’t mind.
▪ Hey, lay off Vinnie, will you? He hasn’t done you any harm.
3. to stop doing something without successfully completing it
▷ give up /ˌgɪv ˈʌp/ [intransitive/transitive phrasal verb]
to stop trying to do something because it is too difficult or because you are not determined enough :
▪ I made several attempts to repair the damage, but gave up in the end.
▪ Come on, don’t give up yet!
give up something
▪ We will never give up our struggle.
give up doing something
▪ I’ve given up trying to get her to change her mind.
give something up
▪ We did start a protest, but gave it up when we realized we would never be successful.
▷ quit /kwɪt/ [intransitive/transitive verb] especially American
to stop doing something before you have successfully completed it :
▪ Bill was cold, hungry and tired and he wanted to quit.
▪ She was having a lot of trouble finding a job, but she refused to quit.
quit doing something
▪ I knew I’d never be any good at school, so I just quit trying.
▷ abandon /əˈbændən/ [transitive verb]
to stop doing something that you had planned or started, because there are too many other problems involved :
▪ The government has now abandoned its plans to privatize parts of the health service.
▪ All attempts to find a peaceful solution to the conflict have now been abandoned.
▪ Owing to rough weather, the coast guard had been forced to abandon the search.
▷ drop /drɒpǁdrɑːp/ [transitive verb]
to stop doing something that you have already started or that you intended to do :
▪ Because of strong opposition, the government has dropped plans to increase taxes on fuel.
drop everything
▪ I’m too busy to just drop everything and go out for the day.
▷ leave it at that /ˌliːv ɪt ət ˈðæt/ [verb phrase] informal
to stop doing something because you are satisfied that you have done enough :
▪ We’ve got most of the heavy work done, so I think we can leave it at that for today.
4. to stop doing an activity that you used to do regularly
▷ stop /stɒpǁstɑːp/ [intransitive/transitive verb]
▪ I used to play a lot of tennis, but I had to stop when I injured my knee.
stop doing something
▪ I stopped going to church after I left home.
▪ There’s not much demand for this type of car, so we stopped making them.
▷ give up /ˌgɪv ˈʌp/ [transitive phrasal verb]
to stop doing something that you used to do regularly, for example because you are no longer physically able to do it :
give up doing something
▪ As he grew older he gave up going for walks and seldom went out.
▪ After the accident she had to give up riding and farming.
give up something
▪ He gave up his job so that he could look after his wife.
give something up
▪ I used to really enjoy dancing, but I had to give it up after I became ill.
▷ drop /drɒpǁdrɑːp/ [transitive verb]
to stop studying a subject at school, college, or university :
▪ I think I may drop French next year and concentrate on my other languages.
▪ You can drop one subject at the end of this year if you’re finding you’ve got too much work.
5. to stop a bad or unhealthy habit
▷ stop /stɒpǁstɑːp/ [intransitive/transitive verb]
▪ She had smoked for nearly twenty years before she finally managed to stop.
stop doing something
▪ The health advice to people is simple - stop eating so much fat and eat more fruit and vegetables.
▷ quit /kwɪt/ [intransitive/transitive verb] informal
to stop doing something that that has been an unhealthy or harmful habit :
▪ If you’ve smoked for a long time it can be very difficult to quit.
quit doing something
▪ They told me at the hospital to quit drinking for a while.
▪ I quit taking the pills because they were making me put on weight.
▷ give up /geɪv ʌp/ [intransitive/transitive phrasal verb]
to stop doing something such as smoking, drinking alcohol, or taking drugs because it is harmful or unhealthy :
▪ If you smoke, try to give up or at least cut down.
▪ She gave up drinking over 10 years ago.
▷ break the habit/kick the habit /ˌbreɪk ðə ˈhæbə̇t, ˌkɪk ðə ˈhæbə̇t/ [verb phrase] informal
to stop doing something that has been a habit for a long time, especially a bad or dangerous habit :
▪ The centre provides help for addicts who have kicked their habit and want to stay away from drugs.
▪ Some smokers use hypnosis to help them kick the habit.
▷ come off /ˌkʌm ˈɒf/ [transitive phrasal verb not in passive]
to stop taking medicine or drugs that you have been taking regularly :
▪ The doctor told me I could come off the drugs six months after the operation.
▪ People need help to come off hard drugs like heroin and cocaine.
▷ grow out of /ˌgrəʊ ˈaʊt ɒv/ [transitive phrasal verb]
if a child grows out of a habit, he or she stops doing it as they get older :
grow out of it
▪ Wetting the bed is a common problem, but children nearly always grow out of it.
▪ He became obsessed with football at the age of four, and he’s never grown out of it!
6. to stop having a particular type of food or drink
▷ cut out /ˌkʌt ˈaʊt/ [transitive phrasal verb]
to stop eating a particular type of food, especially for health reasons :
▪ With this diet, I have to cut out bread, cookies, and cakes.
▪ Try cutting out red meat and dairy produce, and see if your symptoms improve.
▷ lay off /ˌleɪ ˈɒf/ [transitive phrasal verb] spoken
to stop eating, drinking, or using a particular type of food, drink, or drug, especially for health reasons :
▪ I’m trying to lay off rich food for a while to lose some weight.
▪ If he really wants to write the book, he’ll need to lay off the drink until he does it.
7. to stop working at the end of the day or during the day
▷ stop work /ˌstɒp ˈwɜːʳkǁˌstɑːp-/ [verb phrase] British :
▪ We stop work at half past three on Fridays.
▪ They stopped work for a few minutes to consider his offer.
▷ finish work /ˌfɪnɪʃ ˈwɜːʳk/ [verb phrase] especially British
to stop work at the end of the day :
▪ What time do you finish work?
finish
finish work
▪ I don’t finish until seven tonight, so I’ll be late home.
▷ knock off /ˌnɒk ˈɒfǁˌnɑːk-/ [intransitive phrasal verb] spoken
to stop work - use this especially to talk about a particular time that you stop work :
▪ Is it OK if I knock off a little early tonight?
▪ I usually knock off at about six.
▷ call it a day /ˌkɔːl ɪt ə ˈdeɪ/ [verb phrase] informal
to decide to stop working because you have done enough work, because you are very tired, or because it is late :
▪ We realized we weren’t going to get the job finished, so we decided to call it a day.
▪ Look, we’re all tired - let’s call it a day.
▷ pack up /ˌpæk ˈʌp/ [intransitive phrasal verb] British
to stop work, put away your work equipment, and go home :
▪ Everyone packed up and went home.
▪ OK, guys - it’s time to pack up now.
8. to stop working at the end of your working life
▷ retire /rɪˈtaɪəʳ/ [intransitive verb]
▪ Mrs Davies retired after 45 years with the company.
▪ Everyone should have the right to a pension when they retire.
▪ My father retired at 65.
retirement [uncountable noun]
▪ Since her retirement she’s been spending more time with her grandchildren.
▪ He was determined to enjoy his retirement.
early retirement
before the usual or official age
▪ More and more police officers are taking early retirement.
9. words for describing something that you are unable to stop doing
▷ compulsive /kəmˈpʌlsɪv/ [adjective]
compulsive behaviour/gambling/eating etc
something, especially something harmful, that you do because you cannot stop yourself :
▪ Her problem is her compulsive eating.
▪ Compulsive behaviour is often a symptom of deeper psychological problems.
a compulsive liar/eater/gambler etc
someone who is unable to stop lying, eating etc
▪ He’s a compulsive liar -- you can’t believe a word he says.
10. to stop walking, running etc
▷ stop /stɒpǁstɑːp/ [intransitive verb]
▪ I was exhausted, and had to stop and rest.
▪ Stop! Wait a minute!
▪ I saw Maria and stopped to say hello.
▪ We stopped at the next village to get supplies.
▷ come to a halt /ˌkʌm tʊ ə ˈhɔːlt/ [verb phrase]
to slow down and stop :
▪ The group of tourists came to a halt outside the museum.
▪ He walked back across the restaurant and came to a halt beside our table.
▷ stop dead/stop dead in your tracks /ˌstɒp ˈded, stɒp ˌded ɪn jɔːʳ ˈtræksǁˌstɑːp-/ [verb phrase]
to suddenly stop, especially because something has surprised or frightened you or you suddenly notice it :
▪ Katie stopped dead and stared at him.
▪ Francesca stopped dead in her tracks. ‘What did you just say?’ she demanded.
▷ freeze /friːz/ [intransitive verb]
to stop moving very suddenly and stay completely still and quiet :
▪ I froze, and listened. Someone was in my apartment.
▪ Captain O'Leary raised his gun and shouted ‘Freeze!’
11. when a vehicle stops moving
▷ stop /stɒpǁstɑːp/ [intransitive verb]
if a vehicle or its driver stops, the vehicle stops moving :
▪ Could you stop just here on the left?
▪ We’d better stop at the next gas station.
▪ A yellow car stopped outside the house.
▷ pull up /ˌpʊl ˈʌp/ [intransitive phrasal verb]
if a car or its driver pulls up, the car comes closer to something or someone and stops :
pull up at/outside/next to etc
▪ We pulled up at a small cafe just outside Bordeaux.
▪ A blue van pulled up behind us.
▷ pull in /ˌpʊl ˈɪn/ [intransitive phrasal verb]
if a car or its driver pulls in, the driver stops the car at the side of the road or in a parking space :
▪ I rounded the corner, looking for a place to pull in.
▪ Jeff parked in front of the house and I pulled in beside him.
▷ pull over /ˌpʊl ˈəʊvəʳ/ [intransitive phrasal verb]
if a car or its driver pulls over, the driver drives to the side of the road and stops :
▪ A policeman was standing by the side of the road, signalling to me to pull over.
▪ I pulled over and looked at the map.
▪ The truck pulled over and a man got out.
▷ come to a stop/come to a halt /ˌkʌm tʊ ə ˈstɒpǁ-ˈstɑːp, ˌkʌm tʊ ə ˈhɔːlt/ [verb phrase] especially written
to gradually get slower and then stop :
▪ The taxi came to a stop outside the hotel.
▪ The bus slowed down and came to a halt at some traffic lights.
come to a sudden/abrupt halt/stop
▪ As Jamie spoke, the train came to an abrupt halt, nearly throwing us all on the floor.
▷ come to a standstill/grind to a halt /ˌkʌm tʊ ə ˈstændstɪl, ˌgraɪnd tʊ ə ˈhɔːlt/ [verb phrase] especially written
to gradually get slower and then stop completely - use this about traffic or about a vehicle :
▪ The train came to a standstill about a mile outside Abbeville and didn’t move for 20 minutes.
▪ Traffic in the city ground to a halt as the streets filled with angry demonstrators.
▷ brake /breɪk/ [intransitive verb]
if a vehicle or its driver brakes, the driver makes it slow down or stop by using the brakes :
▪ I saw a roadblock ahead, and braked.
brake hard/sharply
▪ A bus came round the corner and braked sharply.
▷ slam on the brakes /ˌslæm ɒn ðə ˈbreɪks/ [verb phrase]
to make a car, bus etc stop very suddenly by pressing very hard on the brakes :
▪ I slammed on the brakes, skidding to a stop.
12. when a bus, train etc regularly stops at particular places
▷ stop /stɒpǁstɑːp/ [intransitive verb]
if a train or bus stops at a place, it regularly stops there to let people on and off :
▪ Does this train stop at Lyon?
▪ The bus stops at the top of the hill.
stop [countable noun]
a place where a bus, train stops: :
▪ Excuse me, could you tell me what the next stop is?
▪ We need to get off at the next stop.
▷ call at /ˈkɔːl æt/ [transitive phrasal verb] British
if a train or bus calls at a particular place, it stops there as part of its regular journey to let people on and off :
▪ This is the 14:30 to Bristol, calling at Reading and Bath.
▪ Does this train call at York?
13. to make someone stop moving
▷ stop /stɒpǁstɑːp/ [transitive verb]
▪ The police are stopping drivers to ask questions about the accident.
▪ The truck was stopped by customs officers for a routine check.
▪ A man stopped me in the street and asked if I knew where the theatre was.
▷ restrain /rɪˈstreɪn/ [transitive verb]
to hold someone so that they cannot move forward or attack someone :
▪ It took three men to restrain him.
▪ Mary got up to go after them, but I put out my arm to restrain her.
▷ hold back /ˌhəʊld ˈbæk/ [transitive phrasal verb]
to prevent someone from moving forward or into a place :
▪ They put up huge barriers to hold back the crowd.
▪ My father held me back, otherwise I would have rushed up onto the stage.
▷ stop somebody dead/stop somebody (dead) in their tracks /ˌstɒp somebody ˈded, ˌstɒp somebody ˌded ɪn ðeəʳ ˈtræksǁˌstɑːp-/ [verb phrase]
to surprise or frighten you, so that you stop suddenly :
▪ Seeing the policeman there stopped me dead. I didn’t know what to do.
▪ Jim was stopped in his tracks by the sound of a rifle behind him.
▷ flag down /ˌflæg ˈdaʊn/ [transitive phrasal verb]
to stop a car that is coming towards you by waving your arms :
flag down something
▪ I managed to flag down a passing car and ask for help.
flag something/somebody down
▪ The patrolman stepped out in front of the truck to flag it down.
▷ pull over /ˌpʊl ˈəʊvə/ [transitive phrasal verb]
if someone, especially a police officer pulls you over, they make you stop driving and park at the side of the road :
▪ The police pulled me over and checked my licence.
▪ He got pulled over on the way home and had to take a breath test.
▷ intercept /ˌɪntəʳˈsept/ [transitive verb]
to stop something such as a boat or plane, before it has finished its journey or achieved its purpose :
▪ Two British ships were sent to intercept the convoy.
▪ All three fighter planes were intercepted and destroyed.
14. to stop happening
▷ stop /stɒpǁstɑːp/ [intransitive verb]
▪ It seemed the fighting would never stop.
▪ Catherine stood watching the rain, hoping it would stop soon.
▪ Suddenly, the cheering stopped and there was a deathly silence.
▪ This waste of the earth’s resources must stop.
▷ come to an end /ˌkʌm tʊ ən ˈend/ [verb phrase]
if something that has been happening for a long time comes to an end, it stops happening :
▪ When we had children, all our trips to theatres and cinemas came to an end.
▪ Research at the college came to an end in 1870.
▪ All good things must come to an end.
▷ cease /siːs/ [intransitive verb] formal
to stop happening :
▪ Hostilities between the two countries have now ceased.
▪ Presently, the rain ceased and the sun came out.
cease altogether
stop completely
▪ The sound of gunfire gradually receded and then ceased altogether.
15. to gradually stop happening
▷ fizzle out /ˌfɪz ə l ˈaʊt/ [intransitive phrasal verb] informal
to gradually end in a disappointing way - use this about an activity, a relationship, or people’s interest in something :
▪ Their romance fizzled out after a few months.
▪ The movie made a great start, but the action seemed to fizzle out halfway through.
▷ peter out /ˌpiːtər ˈaʊt/ [intransitive phrasal verb]
to gradually become less and less and then stop happening completely :
▪ By midday the rain had petered out.
▪ The road petered out into a muddy track.
▪ The protest campaign petered out after a few weeks.
▷ wear off /ˌweər ˈɒf/ [intransitive phrasal verb]
if pain or the effect of something wears off, it gradually becomes less until it stops completely :
▪ The effects of the anaesthetic will wear off within a few hours.
▪ The shock has not worn off yet and he seems to be walking around in a daze.
the novelty wears off
when you stop feeling interested or excited about something because it is no longer new
▪ The kids spent hours on the computer at first, but the novelty soon wore off.
▷ fade away /ˌfeɪd əˈweɪ/ [intransitive phrasal verb]
if a sound fades away, it gradually gets quieter and finally stops :
▪ He waited until the sound of the engines had faded away.
▪ As the music faded away the audience broke into enthusiastic applause.
16. to make something stop happening or continuing
▷ stop /stɒpǁstɑːp/ [transitive verb]
to make someone stop doing something, or make something stop happening :
▪ The referee stopped the fight when one of the boxers was badly injured.
▪ It is now time to stop the war and begin negotiations for peace.
▪ Officials are planning to take court action to stop publication of the book.
stop somebody doing something
▪ I gave my little brother some chocolate to stop him crying.
▷ put an end to /ˌpʊt ən ˈend tuː/ [verb phrase]
to stop something, especially so that it never starts again :
▪ An injury like this could put an end to her dancing career.
▪ The outbreak of war put an end to their romance.
▷ bring to an end /ˌbrɪŋ tʊ ən ˈend/ [verb phrase]
to finally and permanently end something that has continued for a long time :
bring something to an end
▪ A treaty was signed which finally brought the conflict to an end.
bring to an end something
▪ There are calls for the Prime Minister to bring to an end the uncertainty about the election date.
▷ halt /hɔːlt/ [transitive verb]
to make something stop changing, developing, or progressing :
▪ The government is determined to halt the trade in illegal animal furs.
▪ All his efforts had failed to halt the increase in street crime.
▷ call off /ˌkɔːl ˈɒf/ [transitive phrasal verb]
to decide that a planned action or activity should be stopped after it has already started :
▪ The union decided to call off the strike when they were offered a 10% pay rise.
▪ The meeting was called off at the last minute.
▪ The hunt for the missing boy had to be called off because of severe weather conditions.
▷ cut short /ˌkʌt ˈʃɔːʳt/ [transitive phrasal verb]
to stop an activity earlier than was planned, especially because of something unexpected such as illness or bad news :
▪ She was forced to cut short her holiday and return to the UK.
▪ His education was cut short when his father died of a sudden illness.
▷ abort /əˈbɔːʳt/ [transitive verb]
to stop an action that has been started, because it would be too dangerous to continue :
▪ The mission was aborted after news came of the capture of the city.
▪ The plane had already started its descent when the pilot received orders to abort his landing.
▷ suspend /səˈspend/ [transitive verb]
to officially order that something should be stopped, when you intend to let it start again at a later time :
▪ We have decided to suspend all production at the factory until safety checks can be carried out.
▪ All pay increases are to be suspended until further notice.
▪ The trial was suspended after threats were made against witnesses.
suspension /səˈspenʃ ə n/ [uncountable noun]
suspend of
▪ The President has announced the suspension of all military action in the region.
▷ pull the plug on /ˌpʊl ðə ˈplʌg ɒn/ [verb phrase] informal
to stop giving money to a plan or planned business activity so that it cannot continue :
▪ The city council has pulled the plug on the new housing development.
▪ Over 1000 workers lost their jobs when the company pulled the plug on plans to open ten new stores.
▷ freeze /friːz/ [transitive verb]
to keep prices or wages at the same level and not increase them :
▪ The company has announced that it intends to freeze all salaries for a year.
▪ All government employees have had their salaries frozen at last year’s levels.
freeze [countable noun usually singular]
▪ The prime minister has announced a freeze on income tax for two years.
17. to stop something quickly before it has time to develop
▷ nip something in the bud /ˌnɪp something ɪn ðə ˈbʌd/ [verb phrase]
to stop a bad situation or bad behaviour when it first starts, before it can develop further :
▪ If I’d known about their plan I could have nipped it in the bud there and then.
▪ It’s important to nip this problem in the bud.
▷ squash /skwɒʃǁskwɑːʃ, skwɔːʃ/ [transitive verb]
to quickly stop something such as opposition to your plans that is likely to cause you trouble :
▪ Her lawyers acted quickly to squash any of her husband’s claims on her property.
squash a rumour
▪ The chairman acted quickly to squash rumours of a takeover bid.
▷ kill /kɪl/ [transitive verb]
to stop something quickly and completely :
▪ Losing funding now would kill the project.
▪ Mr Howard released a statement in an effort to kill speculation in the press.
18. to stop normal work or services from continuing
▷ paralyse British also paralyze American /ˈpærəlaɪz/ [transitive verb]
to make it impossible for an industry, system, service etc to continue working normally :
▪ Strike action has paralysed the region’s public transport system.
▪ Over Illinois, the storm broke, paralyzing the state with blizzards and freezing temperatures.
▷ bring something to a standstill /ˌbrɪŋ something tʊ ə ˈstændstɪl/ [verb phrase]
to make it impossible for an industry, system, service etc to continue working normally :
▪ Unexpected bad weather has brought London to a standstill.
▪ Further interest rate rises may bring the manufacturing industry to a standstill.
▪ Rail services have been brought to a standstill by severe flooding in many areas.
bring something to a virtual standstill
▪ Traffic was brought to a virtual standstill as protestors drove in convoy along the motorways.
19. to end the use of a system, service, or organization
▷ phase out /ˌfeɪz ˈaʊt/ [transitive phrasal verb]
to gradually end the use of a system, product, or service :
phase out something
▪ Ministers agreed to phase out the old voting system within two years.
▪ Older prisons will be phased out over the next few years.
phase something out
▪ The committee acknowledged that these chemicals are highly dangerous, and agreed to phase them out gradually.
▷ discontinue /ˌdɪskənˈtɪnjuː/ [transitive verb]
to stop providing something that has been available or provided regularly over a period of time :
▪ Doctors decided to discontinue the treatment when it became clear that the boy had no chance of recovering.
▪ If fewer than ten students sign up, the course will be discontinued.
20. to stop something bad or illegal that people are doing
▷ stop /stɒpǁstɑːp/ [transitive verb]
▪ We must take action to stop this illegal trade in ivory.
▪ All the staff are determined to stop bullying in the school.
stop somebody from doing something
▪ The new measures are intended to stop troublemakers from travelling abroad to football matches.
▷ put a stop to /ˌpʊt ə ˈstɒp tuːǁ-ˈstɑːp-/ [verb phrase]
to stop an activity, especially one that you consider to be harmful or unacceptable :
▪ Using children in this way is pure exploitation, and it’s time we put a stop to it!
▪ She knew that if she didn’t put a stop to their squabbling now, it could go on for weeks.
▷ stamp out /ˌstæmp ˈaʊt/ [transitive phrasal verb]
to completely stop an illegal or harmful activity :
▪ The police have introduced new measures to help stamp out violence on the city’s streets.
▪ We are determined to stamp out prostitution in this neighborhood.
▷ crack down on /ˌkræk ˈdaʊn ɒn/ [transitive phrasal verb]
to take severe action to stop an illegal activity :
▪ The authorities are determined to crack down on terrorism.
▪ Teachers must crack down on bullying as soon as they become aware of it.
▪ Only by cracking down on dealers, can we stop young people getting involved with drugs.
crack-down /ˈkræk daʊn/ [countable noun]
crack down on
▪ Davies was eventually caught during a government crack-down on tax evasion.
▷ call a halt to /ˌkɔːl ə ˈhɔːlt tuː/ [verb phrase]
to officially order that an activity should be stopped, especially after it has continued for a long time :
▪ The government has called a halt to the exporting of live animals.
▪ Companies must call a halt to the dumping of toxic waste at sea.
▷ clamp down on /ˌklæmp ˈdaʊn ɒn/ [transitive phrasal verb]
if someone in authority clamps down on an activity or group of people, they take firm action to stop something that is illegal or against the rules :
▪ The new, tougher laws are intended clamp down on the carrying of knives and other weapons.
▪ If we don’t clamp down on these troublemakers now, the situation could get out of control.
clampdown /ˈklæmpdaʊn/ [countable noun usually singular]
clamp down on
▪ Police say the clampdown on drink-driving has been highly successful.
▪ The new administration has promised a clampdown on corruption.
▷ curb /kɜːʳb/ [transitive verb]
to prevent something harmful from increasing and start to control and reduce it :
▪ The only way to curb the spread of the disease is by immunizing the entire population.
▪ The government is introducing new measures aimed at curbing inflation.
21. to stop opposition to a government
▷ suppress /səˈpres/ [transitive verb]
to stop people opposing or fighting against the government, by using military force or by making their activities illegal :
▪ The army acted swiftly to suppress the uprising.
▪ Any opposition to the regime is ruthlessly suppressed.
▪ The authorities suppressed publication of the journal.
▷ put down /ˌpʊt ˈdaʊn/ [transitive phrasal verb usually in passive]
put down a revolt/rebellion/uprising etc
to stop it by using military force against the people involved :
▪ The uprising was quickly put down.
▪ The rebellion was put down and its leaders were executed.
▷ break up /ˌbreɪk ˈʌp/ [transitive phrasal verb]
if the police or army break up something such as an organized protest, they use force to stop it :
break up something
▪ The police were instructed to break up the demonstration and arrest the ringleaders.
break something up
▪ The protest continued peacefully until government troops moved in to break it up.
▷ subdue /səbˈdjuːǁ-ˈduː/ [transitive verb]
to take action to stop people behaving in a violent, angry way, especially by using force :
▪ The soldiers managed to subdue the angry crowd.
▪ The army has been used to subdue unrest in the country’s capital.
▷ crush /krʌʃ/ [transitive verb]
to use severe methods to stop people who are fighting or opposing you :
▪ The rebellion was quickly crushed by forces loyal to the President.
▪ The army is stationed near the capital, ready to crush any signs of a revolt.
▷ quell /kwel/ [transitive verb] especially written
to make violent opposition stop by using force when it first starts, before it becomes impossible to control :
▪ Extra police were called in to quell the disturbance.
▪ An anti-government riot was promptly quelled by soldiers using guns and teargas.
22. to end a relationship
▷ end /end/ [transitive verb]
▪ The affair ended after it was made public by the newspapers.
▪ Our relationship just isn’t working. I’ve decided to end it.
end [singular noun]
▪ We had a huge row, which marked the end of our friendship.
▷ break off /ˌbreɪk ˈɒf/ [transitive phrasal verb]
to end a relationship or connection with someone, especially an official one :
▪ The Senator has been urged to break off all links with arms companies.
▪ In the wake of the bombing, the UK is threatening to break off diplomatic relations.
▪ His girlfriend has just told him that she wants to break off their engagement.
▷ sever /ˈsevəʳ/ [transitive verb] formal
sever ties/links/relations etc
to completely end your relationship or connection with someone or something :
▪ Since the job required that he be politically neutral, he had to sever his links with the Socialist Party.
▪ Britain immediately severed relations with the three countries involved.
23. a process that cannot be stopped
▷ unstoppable /ʌnˈstɒpəb ə lǁ-ˈstɑːp-/ [adjective]
a process or action that is unstoppable cannot be stopped :
▪ Political change is now unstoppable, and the regime will eventually collapse.
▪ The war could unleash unstoppable political and economic changes.
▪ Her rise to fame seems to be unstoppable.
▷ remorseless /rɪˈmɔːʳsləs/ [adjective]
a process that is remorseless continues in an unpleasant and threatening way and it seems to be impossible to stop :
▪ The remorseless spread of the virus has led to the deaths of thousands.
▪ the remorseless advance of the invading army
remorselessly [adverb]
▪ The destruction of the rainforests has gone on remorselessly for the past 30 years.
▷ inexorable /ɪnˈeks ə rəb ə l/ [adjective] formal
use this about a gradual process that cannot be stopped, especially one which leads to something very bad happening :
▪ His jealousy sets him on an inexorable course towards murder.
▪ the inexorable decline in Britain’s manufacturing industry
inexorably [adverb]
▪ The story moves inexorably towards its tragic climax.
▷ irreversible /ˌɪrɪˈvɜːʳsɪb ə l, ˌɪrɪˈvɜːʳsəb ə l/ [adjective]
a process of change that is irreversible cannot be stopped, and the situation that existed before cannot return :
▪ New technology has brought about irreversible changes in society.
▪ Despite claims made by skincare manufacturers, the effects of ageing are irreversible.
24. to prevent someone from doing what they want to do
▷ prevent /prɪˈvent/ [transitive verb]
to make it impossible for someone to do something that they want to do :
prevent somebody from doing something
▪ A leg injury may prevent Shearer from playing in tomorrow’s game.
▪ There were reports that some people had been prevented from voting in the election.
▷ stop /stɒpǁstɑːp/ [transitive verb]
to stop someone from doing something that they want to do, especially by controlling them in an unreasonable way :
▪ I’ve made up my mind to leave home, and you can’t stop me.
stop somebody (from) doing something
▪ My parents tried to stop me seeing Anne.
▪ The government has taken legal action to stop the BBC from broadcasting a documentary about the Secret Service.
▷ keep somebody from doing something /ˌkiːp somebody frəm ˈduːɪŋ something/ [transitive phrasal verb]
to prevent someone from doing something, especially something that might be harmful or upsetting :
▪ Staying busy kept her from thinking about her illness.
▪ It was all I could do to keep myself from hitting him.
▷ restrain /rɪˈstreɪn/ [transitive verb]
to prevent someone from doing something harmful or stupid, either by physically stopping them or by persuading them not to do it :
▪ Roger stepped forward and Martin put out his arm to restrain him.
restrain yourself
▪ She wanted to ask him all about his private life, but wisely restrained herself.
restrain somebody from doing something
▪ His arm was hurting him and he had to be restrained from doing too much.
▷ hold back /ˌhəʊld ˈbæk/ [transitive phrasal verb]
to prevent someone or something from moving forward or making progress :
hold back somebody/something
▪ The police had already erected crash barriers to hold back the advancing crowds.
▪ The poor economic situation has held back investment in new technology.
hold somebody/something back
▪ Bill leapt to his feet to go after the girl, but the others held him back.
▪ She always felt that being a woman had held her back in her career.
▷ get in the way of /ˌget ɪn ðə ˈweɪ ɒv/ [verb phrase]
to make someone too busy to do something else, especially something they should do :
▪ Don’t let your social life get in the way of your education.
▷ discourage /dɪsˈkʌrɪdʒǁ-ˈkɜːr-/ [transitive verb]
to make it less likely that someone will do something, for example by showing them that it may have a bad or unwelcome result :
▪ Higher taxes are likely to discourage investment.
▪ It is a well known fact that a negative working environment discourages creativity.
discourage somebody from doing something
▪ Higher cigarette prices do not seem to discourage people from smoking.
25. to make sure that something does not happen
▷ prevent/stop /prɪˈvent, stɒpǁstɑːp/ [transitive verb]
to make sure that something will not happen or cannot happen, especially something bad. Prevent is more formal than stop :
▪ Many people now believe that a good diet can help to prevent cancer.
▪ The new laws are designed to stop discrimination in the workplace.
prevent/stop something (from) happening
▪ A special valve prevents the waste gases from escaping.
▪ Stretch the rope out to stop it getting twisted and tangled up.
prevention /prɪˈvenʃ ə n/ [uncountable noun]
▪ How does a healthy diet help in the prevention of heart attacks?
crime prevention
▪ The police are very happy to talk to local groups about crime prevention.
▷ avoid /əˈvɔɪd/ [transitive verb]
to do something to prevent something bad that may happen :
▪ The company is anxious to avoid an expensive court case.
▪ We take every precaution to avoid accidents.
avoid something at all costs
do everything possible to avoid something happening
▪ Civilian casualties must be avoided at all costs.
▷ avert /əˈvɜːʳt/ [transitive verb] formal
to do something to prevent something bad that will happen very soon if you do not do anything :
▪ It may already be too late to avert another disaster.
▪ Talks will be held today in a final attempt to avert strike action.
▷ head off /ˌhed ˈɒf/ [transitive phrasal verb]
to do something to stop a difficult or unpleasant situation from developing, when it seems very likely to happen soon :
▪ They agreed to meet government ministers in an attempt to head off a major conflict.
▪ We managed to head off a financial crisis last year, but we may not be so lucky this year.
▷ guard against /ˈgɑːʳd əˌgenst/ [transitive phrasal verb]
to carefully plan and think about what you can do in order to prevent something bad from happening :
▪ The city council is taking emergency measures to guard against flooding in the city centre.
▪ Use sunscreen on your skin to help guard against skin cancer.
26. to prevent a plan or action from succeeding
▷ block /blɒkǁblɑːk/ [transitive verb]
to use something such as a law or an official order to prevent someone from doing something that they have been planning to do :
▪ Britain has threatened to block new EU legislation on human rights.
▪ The deal was blocked by the chairman, who was unwilling to commit so much company money to a risky investment.
▷ obstruct /əbˈstrʌkt/ [transitive verb]
to try to prevent someone from doing something by deliberately making it much more difficult for them :
▪ The House of Lords has been accused of obstructing change and preventing scientific progress.
▪ It is an offence to obstruct the police during the course of their duty.
obstruction /əbˈstrʌkʃ ə n/ [countable/uncountable noun]
▪ The counting of votes was delayed in some areas because of obstruction by local officials.
obstruct of
▪ He was arrested and charged with the obstruction of a police officer.
▷ thwart /θwɔːʳt/ [transitive verb] formal
to prevent someone from doing something, especially something that they very much want to do because it is personally important to them :
▪ Harry knew now that nothing could thwart his plans.
▪ An attempt to smuggle heroin worth £30 million into the country has been thwarted by customs officials.
▷ foil /fɔɪl/ [transitive verb]
to prevent something bad or criminal that someone is planning to do, by being more clever than they are :
▪ The government has foiled an attempted military coup.
▪ The burglar was foiled by a passer-by who noticed the broken window and phoned the police.
27. to stop people from expressing their opinions
▷ silence /ˈsaɪləns/ [transitive verb]
to prevent someone from expressing their opinions or telling people something that you want kept secret :
▪ The Mafia uses threats of physical violence or death to silence any opposition.
▪ Opponents of the regime are quickly silenced.
▷ muzzle /ˈmʌz ə l/ [transitive verb]
to prevent someone such as a politician or news reporter from publicly expressing their opinions, information, or ideas :
▪ Democracy activists have been effectively muzzled by these tough new laws.
muzzle the press/media
▪ Attempts to muzzle the country’s media have failed.
▷ gag /gæg/ [transitive verb]
to use your authority unfairly to prevent someone from telling people something or expressing their opinions - used especially in newspapers :
▪ The government has once again used concerns about "National Security' as an excuse to gag the press.
▪ The prime minister has been accused of attempting to gag members of his government who do not agree with his policies.
28. to stop yourself from having or showing a feeling
▷ hold back /ˌhəʊld ˈbæk/ [transitive phrasal verb]
to try hard to stop yourself laughing, crying, or showing anger :
hold back something
▪ Jack held back his tears and pretended not to be disappointed.
▪ Sarah held back a sob of relief.
hold something back
▪ I wanted to laugh, but I managed to hold it back.
▪ She struggled to hold her feelings back.
▷ stifle /ˈstaɪf ə l/ [transitive verb]
stifle a yawn/a smile/laughter etc
to try to stop yourself showing that you are tired, amused etc especially because you do not want to seem rude :
▪ She stifled a yawn as the boss read out the sales figures.
▪ Maria looked away and stifled a giggle.
▷ suppress /səˈpres/ [transitive verb] written
to make a strong effort to stop yourself from showing feelings of anger, sadness etc :
▪ I suppressed an urge to laugh.
▪ He looked at me, waiting with suppressed anger.
▪ It’s not good to suppress your feelings.
▷ overcome/conquer /ˌəʊvəʳˈkʌm, ˈkɒŋkəʳǁˈkɑːŋ-/ [transitive verb]
to manage to stop feeling something that affects you very strongly, for example fear, pain etc :
▪ She managed to overcome her shyness, and stepped forward to introduce herself.
▪ Hilton stepped into the room, fighting to conquer his feelings of disgust.
29. a problem that prevents you from achieving something
▷ obstacle /ˈɒbstək ə lǁˈɑːb-/ [countable noun]
a problem that makes it difficult but not impossible for you to achieve what you want to achieve :
▪ The lack of money is a serious obstacle that could prevent the project from succeeding.
obstacle to
▪ The greatest obstacle to economic progress has been mass unemployment.
overcome an obstacle
deal with it successfully
▪ She had to overcome a lot of obstacles to finally make it to drama college.
▷ a bar to something /ə ˈbɑːʳ tə something/ []
something that prevents someone from achieving what they want :
▪ His disability was no bar to his entry into the profession.
▪ Differences in religious beliefs are not necessarily a bar to a good relationship.
▷ limiting /ˈlɪmɪtɪŋ, ˈlɪmətɪŋ/ [adjective]
preventing something from improving, developing, growing etc :
▪ I found the lack of available reference books very limiting.
▪ There is a lot of research that still needs to be done, but money is an important limiting factor.
30. to prevent someone from going somewhere
▷ be in the way /biː ɪn ðə ˈweɪ/ [verb phrase]
if someone or something is in the way, they are in a position that stops you from going where you want :
▪ There’s a car in the way and I can’t get out of the garage.
be in somebody’s way
▪ Could you move please Sonia. You’re in my way.
▷ block /blɒkǁblɑːk/ [transitive verb]
if objects or people block a road, entrance etc, they lie or stand right across it, so that no-one can pass through :
▪ A big truck had turned over on its side, and it was blocking the road.
▪ Hundreds of protesters blocked the entrance to the President’s palace.
▷ obstruct /əbˈstrʌkt/ [transitive verb]
to block or almost block a road, entrance etc :
▪ A small aircraft now obstructed the runway.
▪ The driveway was obstructed by piles of stones and gravel.
obstruction [countable noun]
▪ A truck was causing an obstruction on the road.
▪ Construction workers building the tunnel have encountered a number of obstructions.
▷ barrier /ˈbæriəʳ/ [countable noun]
something that has been deliberately put somewhere, especially across a road or entrance, to prevent people from entering a place :
▪ The automatic barrier lifted as we drove up.
▪ The driver slowed down as he approached the police barrier.
▪ Only a flimsy barrier stops the crowd from spilling onto the field.
▷ blockade /blɒˈkeɪdǁblɑː-/ [transitive verb]
to use military force to prevent people or goods from entering or leaving an area :
▪ In June 1948 the Russians blockaded the western sectors of Berlin.
▪ A US fleet blockaded the port of Veracruz.
blockade [countable noun]
▪ Getting food supplies through the blockade is almost impossible.
31. intended to prevent something happening
▷ preventive/preventative /prɪˈventɪv, prɪˈventətɪv/ [adjective only before noun]
intended to prevent something from happening or getting worse :
▪ We should spend more money educating people about preventive medicine.
▪ Schools must take preventative measures so that this type of tragedy never happens again.
▪ Preventative action can easily be taken to avoid damp occurring in your house.
▷ pre-emptive /priˈemptɪv/ [adjective]
pre-emptive strike/action/attack
an action that is done to harm someone before they can harm you - use this especially about official or military actions :
▪ The US says it is prepared to launch a pre-emptive strike with nuclear weapons if it is threatened.
32. something that can be prevented
▷ preventable /prɪˈventəb ə l/ [adjective]
something bad that is preventable, can be prevented :
▪ Whooping cough and measles are both preventable diseases.
▪ Many of these deaths each year are preventable.
▷ avoidable /əˈvɔɪdəb ə l/ [adjective]
difficulties or problems that are avoidable can be prevented, and therefore you should not have to deal with them :
▪ Running out of gas is annoying and easily avoidable.
▪ Too many children are still injured in avoidable accidents.