showstoppers
Bring the house down
Showstoppers are performances or moments so impressive they halt the show—originally theatrical numbers that drew such applause the performance couldn't continue.
The meaning extends to anything spectacular or attention-grabbing: Her entrance was a showstopper.
In business and technology, a showstopper is a critical problem that prevents progress: We found a showstopper bug before launch.
Top-billed performer
- star attractionFeatured highlight of show
- main eventFeatured performance or contest
- centerpieceDecorative table focal point
- focal pointCenter of interest
feature · marquee · sensation · phenomenon · crowd favorite · star turn · pièce de résistance · draw
Extremely surprising or impressive
- dazzlingOverwhelmingly bright or impressive
- breathtakingAstonishingly beautiful or exciting
- stunningExtremely impressive or beautiful
- extravaganzaLavish, elaborate entertainment
eye-catching · magnificent · sensational · impressive · glamorous · opulent · lavish · resplendent
Something that obstructs
- dealbreakerUnacceptable condition that ends talks
- bugCrawling creature or defect
- defectInherent imperfection or fault
- glitchMinor system fault
snag · bottleneck · roadblock · setback · complication · hurdle · impediment · constraint
headliner
Top-billed performer
- star attractionFeatured highlight of show
- main eventFeatured performance or contest
- centerpieceDecorative table focal point
focal point · feature · marquee · sensation · phenomenon · crowd favorite · star turn · pièce de résistance · draw · must-see
jaw-dropping
Extremely surprising or impressive
- dazzlingOverwhelmingly bright or impressive
- breathtakingAstonishingly beautiful or exciting
- stunningExtremely impressive or beautiful
extravaganza · eye-catching · magnificent · sensational · impressive · glamorous · opulent · lavish · resplendent · grandiose
blocker
Something that obstructs
- dealbreakerUnacceptable condition that ends talks
- bugCrawling creature or defect
- defectInherent imperfection or fault
glitch · snag · bottleneck · roadblock · setback · complication · hurdle · impediment · constraint · limitation
encore
Audience-demanded extra performance
- standing ovationApplause while risen
- finaleConcluding part of performance
- curtain callPost-show audience acknowledgment
applause · Broadway · musical · number · ballad · act · solo · diva · belter · choreography
showstoppersfiller
Substance closing gaps
background noise · wallpaper · also-rans · afterthoughts · padding