stop the lights
An interjection expressing exasperation or incredulity. or to illustrate the humour in a situation.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“Stop the lights, you actually finished that project on time?”
“Stop the lights, you are telling me the train is early for once?”
“Stop the lights, I cannot believe he wore that ridiculous costume to the serious business meeting.”
“Stop the lights, the tiny local bakery just won a national award for the best bread in the entire country.”
“Stop the lights, I just saw my old school teacher dancing on a table at the wedding reception last night.”
“Stop the lights, the sheer absurdity of the situation left the entire room in a state of stunned, laughing disbelief.”
The phrase originated as a catchphrase on the Irish television quiz show Quicksilver. Contestants who found themselves unable to provide a correct answer would call out "Stop the lights" to arrest the countdown and prevent the loss of prize money accrued for subsequent questions. Over time, the desperate plea of the stumped participant migrated from the studio floor into the general lexicon as an expression of astonishment.
- 01
a short drop and a sudden stop
A fall to one's death by hanging.
- 02
amber light
Hesitance to proceed; limited approval or permission to proceed.
- 03
bright lights
The glamour and glitz of a place, especially a big city.
- 04
bring to light
To expose, disclose or reveal something that was hidden or unknown.
- 05
come to light
To become known; to be revealed.
- 06
couldn't stop a pig in a passage
To be bow-legged.
- 07
face that would stop a clock
A shockingly unattractive face.
- 08
false light
A point of view resulting in a misleading or inaccurate representation of a person, situation, or fact.
Last updated August 10, 2026