bring (one) up short

bring (one) up short

To cause one to abruptly stop doing something. The sudden blaring of the alarm brought me up short on my way down the hall. News of the reduction in funding brought our researchers up short.

See also: bring, short, up

bring (or pull) someone up short

make someone check or pause abruptly.

See also: bring, short, someone, up

bring/pull somebody up ˈshort

make somebody stop what they are doing because something attracts their attention or because they suddenly realize something: His criticism of my work pulled me up short, because I thought he was pleased with it.

See also: bring, pull, short, somebody, up