stop time: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2 (Low frequency, technical term)Specialist/Musical, informal (colloquial)
Quick answer
What does “stop time” mean?
In music, a technique where the band plays a short, sharp figure between sections of vocal or solo, creating a punctuated, rhythmic break.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
In music, a technique where the band plays a short, sharp figure between sections of vocal or solo, creating a punctuated, rhythmic break.
More generally, an arrangement where the steady rhythmic pulse is interrupted by sudden stops or staccato accents. Can also refer colloquially to a designated period for ceasing an activity, though this is less common.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in the core musical meaning. The spelling and terminology are identical. Potential minor difference in colloquial use frequency.
Connotations
In musical contexts, strongly associated with jazz, blues, and early rock and roll (e.g., boogie-woogie).
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both dialects within the general population, but standard within music communities.
Grammar
How to Use “stop time” in a Sentence
The band played a stop-time chorus.The song features a stop-time section after the second verse.He used stop-time effectively in the bridge.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “stop time” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The bandleader signalled to stop time for four bars.
American English
- The drummer knows exactly when to stop time and come back in.
adverb
British English
- Not standardly used as an adverb.
American English
- Not standardly used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The stop-time passage is the most exciting part of the piece.
American English
- That classic song has a great stop-time intro.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in musicology, analysis of jazz, blues, or popular music forms.
Everyday
Rare. Might be used loosely to mean 'time to stop doing something' (e.g., 'Alright everyone, stop time!').
Technical
A specific rhythmic/musical arrangement technique in composition and performance.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “stop time”
- Using 'stop time' to mean 'freeze time' or in sci-fi contexts.
- Confusing it with 'time signature' (like 4/4 time).
- Writing it as one word 'stoptime'.
- Assuming it's a common phrase outside music.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is conventionally written as two separate words: 'stop time'. The hyphenated form 'stop-time' is also common, especially when used as a compound adjective (e.g., 'a stop-time break').
It's non-standard and potentially confusing. Native speakers would say 'time to stop', 'stop now', or 'knock-off time'. Using 'stop time' this way sounds like a literal, childlike translation.
A 'break' is a general term for a solo or a pause. 'Stop time' is a specific type of break where the band plays a strict, short rhythmic pattern in unison between phrases, creating a 'stop-start' feel. All stop-time sections are breaks, but not all breaks are in stop time.
It is rare in classical terminology. The concept exists (e.g., dramatic pauses, general rests), but 'stop time' is firmly rooted in the lexicon of jazz, blues, ragtime, and related popular genres.
In music, a technique where the band plays a short, sharp figure between sections of vocal or solo, creating a punctuated, rhythmic break.
Stop time is usually specialist/musical, informal (colloquial) in register.
Stop time: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstɒp ˌtaɪm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstɑːp ˌtaɪm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(to play) in stop time”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a clock (time) that suddenly STOPS ticking every few seconds – that's the jerky, punctuated feel of 'stop time' in music.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A MOVING FORCE / RHYTHM IS MOTION. 'Stop time' metaphorically halts this forward motion for dramatic effect.
Practice
Quiz
In which musical context is 'stop time' MOST commonly and correctly used?