stop by

stop by

To stop and spend time at some place or with someone for a brief period of time. You should stop by for one of our poker games, they're a lot of fun! It was so great to see you, thanks for stopping by!

See also: by, stop

stop by (some place)

 and stop in (some place)

to visit some place, usually briefly. I was coming home, but I decided to stop by my aunt's on the way. She was very glad that I stopped in.

See also: by, stop

stop by

Also, stop in. Pay a brief visit, as in I hope you'll stop by this afternoon, or He stopped in at Martha's whenever he came to New York on business. The first term dates from about 1900, the variant from the mid-1800s.

See also: by, stop

stop by

v.

To interrupt one's course or journey briefly in order to visit or do business somewhere: I stopped by my friend's house on the way home from work. On our way to the party, we need to stop by the store and get a gift. Why don't you stop by sometime for lunch?

See also: by, stop