kibosh
Slang for stop
Kibosh appears almost exclusively in the phrase put the kibosh on, meaning to stop or put an end to something decisively: The rain put the kibosh on our picnic.
It suggests finality—once the kibosh is on something, it's done.
The word's origin is unknown, which hasn't stopped considerable speculation.
Complete sudden stop
- quashSuppress or nullify
- squashFlatten by pressure
- squelchForcibly silence or suppress
- scotchDecisively put an end to
nix · block · kill · scuttle · derail · torpedo · axe · veto
Official restriction on something
- barDrinking establishment
- embargoOfficial prohibition on trade
- moratoriumTemporary prohibition or delay
- injunctionCourt-ordered behavioral requirement
interdict · proscription · veto · restriction · sanction · blockade · forbiddance · restraint
Total lack of sound
subdue · dampen · muzzle · gag · choke · throttle · extinguish · put down
Defeat decisively
- vanquishDefeat thoroughly in conflict
- overcomePrevail against difficulty
- conquerOvercome by force
- routOverwhelming one-sided victory
crush · thrash · demolish · annihilate · destroy · finish off · wipe out · put paid to
halt
Complete sudden stop
scotch · nix · block · kill · scuttle · derail · torpedo · axe · veto · cancel
ban
Official restriction on something
- barDrinking establishment
- embargoOfficial prohibition on trade
- moratoriumTemporary prohibition or delay
injunction · interdict · proscription · veto · restriction · sanction · blockade · forbiddance · restraint · taboo
silence
Total lack of sound
repress · subdue · dampen · muzzle · gag · choke · throttle · extinguish · put down · clamp down
trounce
Defeat decisively
rout · crush · thrash · demolish · annihilate · destroy · finish off · wipe out · put paid to · do in
- Yiddishchutzpah, kvetch, mensch, schlep, tchotchke
- superstitionblack cat, broken mirror, Friday the 13th, walking under ladder, evil eye
- Whimsy Wordsgobbledygook, gibberish, mumbo jumbo, hogwash, balderdash
- negativesno, not, never, none, nothing
- No-Gobanned, forbidden, off-limits, illegal, outlawed
kiboshgreen light
Authorization to proceed
go-ahead · approval · allowance · permission · endorsement
- put the kibosh onHalt decisively and finally
- put on the kiboshTo decisively stop something