ENGLISH
REFERENCE

stop the presses

idiom
Meaning

An exclamation used to introduce especially new, important, surprising, or recent developments.


Origin

disputed origin

Originally referred to delaying the printing of a newspaper in order to change its content to accommodate the inclusion of late-breaking news.

Examples
SIMPLE

Stop the presses, I finally finished my essay.

CONTEXTUAL

Stop the presses, the manager just announced that we are all getting a surprise bonus this month.

COMPLEX

Stop the presses, for the researchers have unexpectedly discovered a new species in the deepest part of the ocean.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    a short drop and a sudden stop

    A fall to one's death by hanging.

  2. 02

    couldn't stop a pig in a passage

    To be bow-legged.

  3. 03

    face that would stop a clock

    A shockingly unattractive face.

  4. 04

    hot off the presses

    Freshly printed, minted, written, or created.

  5. 05

    press into service

    To make someone perform a task or duty, especially one they are not prepared or willing to do; to make something serve a function, especially one it was not designed or intended for.

  6. 06

    press on

    To persist, to continue to advance.

  7. 07

    press the flesh

    To shake hands and socialize, especially in a political gathering.

  8. 08

    press the panic button

    To start to panic.

Last updated April 17, 2026