pull up short
Brake without warning
To pull up short is to stop abruptly, often just before reaching a destination or completing an action.
The phrase comes from horsemanship—pulling on the reins to halt a horse suddenly.
It often implies surprise or hesitation: She pulled up short when she saw who was waiting at the door.
Figuratively, something can pull you up short by giving you unexpected pause: His bluntness pulled me up short.
Complete sudden stop
- brakeDevice to slow motion
- freezeBecome solid from cold
- pauseTemporary cessation of activity
- ceaseTo discontinue activity
dead stop · standstill · arrest · rein in · check · abrupt halt · come to a stop · stop in tracks
Frighten suddenly
- joltAbrupt forceful shake
- shockViolent sudden disturbance
- taken abackShocked into momentary confusion
- double takeDelayed reaction of surprise
catch off guard · unexpected · blindsided · stunned · stopped cold · wake-up call · eye-opener
Temporary cessation of activity
- reconsiderThink about something anew
- second thoughtsDoubts after deciding
- think twiceDeliberate before acting
- hold backPrevent forward movement
waver · falter · balk · hang back · give pause
Ability to restrain impulses
halt
Complete sudden stop
cease · dead stop · standstill · arrest · rein in · check · abrupt halt · come to a stop · stop in tracks · break off
startle
Frighten suddenly
- joltAbrupt forceful shake
- shockViolent sudden disturbance
- taken abackShocked into momentary confusion
catch off guard · double take · unexpected · blindsided · stunned · stopped cold · wake-up call · eye-opener
pause
Temporary cessation of activity
- reconsiderThink about something anew
- second thoughtsDoubts after deciding
- think twiceDeliberate before acting
self-control
Ability to restrain impulses
curb · bite tongue · temper · moderate · think better of
pull up shortkeep going
Maintain forward progress
carry on · press on · push ahead · forge ahead · push forward
pull up shortfollow through
Complete an intended action
go the distance · see it through · carry through · go all the way · run its course
pull, pulls, pulled, pulling, puller, short, shorts, shorten, shortened