bring up short

idiom

: to cause (someone) to stop suddenly
I was wandering through the exhibit when I was brought up short by a striking photograph.

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Cite this Entry

“Bring up short.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bring%20up%20short. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

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