stump (redirected from stumpiness)

(You've) got me stumped.

Inf. I can't possibly figure out the answer to your question. Bill: How long is the Amazon River? Jane: You've got me stumped. Bob: Do you know of a book that would interest a retired sea captain? Sally: You've got me stumped.

See also: got

stump someone

to confuse or puzzle someone. I have a question that will really stump you. When was the Achaean League established?

stump for someone

to go about making political speeches in support of someone. The vice president was out stumping for members of Congress who were running this term. Since all the politicians were out stumping for one another, there was no one in the capital to vote on important legislation.

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on the stump  (mainly American)

a politician who is on the stump is travelling to different places in order to make speeches and get support, especially before an election On the stump in North Dakota, Anderson took time out to give this interview to our reporter.

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on the stump

traveling to different places to speak to people in order to get their political support On the stump in North Dakota, the senator took time out to talk to our reporter.

Etymology: based on a politician standing on a stump (cut end of a tree) in order to be seen