showstopper
showstopper — noun
- showstoppersingular
- showstoppersplural
1. A song, dance, or performance segment that draws such enthusiastic applause and
A song, dance, or performance segment that draws such enthusiastic applause and cheering from the audience that the show is briefly interrupted.
The lead singer's solo was such a showstopper that the audience applauded for nearly three minutes.
such a showstopper that + effect clause
In the school musical, Mira's dance number became the showstopper of the entire evening.
showstopper of [event]
Critics called the final scene a showstopper — applause delayed the play by several minutes.
The magician's disappearing act was the showstopper that people in town kept talking about for weeks.
- crowd-pleaser
focuses on popularity with the audience; less dramatic than showstopper
- highlight
general term for the best part; does not imply that the performance was interrupted
- flop
a performance piece that fails to impress the audience
文法句型
showstopper + that-clause for describing impact
showstopper of [event/time period]
用法筆記
Originally from live theatre and musicals; now used more broadly for any live performance where a particular segment draws an exceptionally strong reaction from the audience.
2. Something so impressive, attractive, or remarkable that it amazes everyone who s
Something so impressive, attractive, or remarkable that it amazes everyone who sees it.
The new smartphone's camera is a real showstopper — the pictures look as good as professional shots.
real showstopper + explanatory dash clause
Élise's wedding cake was a showstopper, with five layers decorated in gold leaf and fresh flowers.
At the fashion show, Obi wore a showstopper of a jacket covered in hand-stitched beads.
The garden's centrepiece is a showstopper rose bush that blooms in twelve different colours at once.
Lucía baked a chocolate cake that was an absolute showstopper at the neighbourhood bake sale.
Every year the carnival parade includes a spectacular showstopper float with fireworks and acrobats.
- stunner
more casual, often used for people or visual things; less formal than showstopper
- masterpiece
suggests great skill and artistry; more formal and serious than showstopper
- knockout
slang; implies a powerful visual impact
- disappointment
something that fails to meet expectations
- dud
informal; something that is completely unimpressive
文法句型
showstopper of a [noun] for an impressive example
be a (real/absolute) showstopper
用法筆記
Frequently used in informal contexts such as food, fashion, design, and home decor. Often preceded by real or absolute for emphasis.
3. A serious difficulty that is severe enough to bring a project or ongoing effort
A serious difficulty that is severe enough to bring a project or ongoing effort to a complete halt until the problem is dealt with.
A missing safety certificate became a showstopper that halted the factory's opening for two months.
showstopper that halted [process]
The contract negotiations hit a showstopper when neither side would agree on the payment terms.
hit a showstopper
Budget approval is the main showstopper for the new hospital building project in the region.
A critical software bug became a showstopper — the development team could not release the app until it was fixed.
The lack of affordable housing has become a showstopper for the company's plan to expand its local office.
- deal-breaker
narrower — refers specifically to an issue that ends a negotiation or agreement
- bottleneck
slows progress rather than stopping it completely; less final than showstopper
- roadblock
similar meaning but more general; used across many contexts
- green light
approval that allows a project to move forward
文法句型
showstopper for [project/process]
hit a showstopper
用法筆記
Common in business and technology contexts. Unlike the other senses, this meaning has no positive connotation — it describes an unwelcome barrier rather than something impressive.