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showstopper

showstopper

1 6.3
A serious software problem that stops a product being released until fixed
  • noun
  • /ˈʃoʊˌstɑːpər/
  • Jargon
translation icon : error crítico
  • DOE Secretary Bill Richardson has stated that although no technical "showstoppers" have been discovered, uncertainties remain.

Examples

  • I'll still leave it on my test desktop, but this is pretty much a showstopper for me.

    Blog text (32)
  • There are other improvements they could make, but that's the only showstopper on my list.

    Blog text (9)
  • So fortunately, there have been no showstoppers yet.

    Blog text (20)
  • For example, if people in the area have in the past been given access to the property for off-roading or hunting, this would be good to know up front so that you can decide if you can address it or if this will be a showstopper.

    Blog text (4)
  • I couldn't find the right upholstery for the throne, but the hydraulic lift will be a showstopper, so... -

  • The recent bug was identified as a showstopper that halted the software release until it was fixed.

  • The developer reported a critical showstopper that prevented further progress on the project.

  • During the testing phase, they discovered a showstopper that needed immediate attention to avoid delays.

Synonyms

stopper
vsshowstopper
9 5.3

Something that suddenly stops an activity or makes people silent

is specific to blocking releases in software development rather than any stop
show-stopper
vsshowstopper
1 6.6

A serious problem that stops a plan, product, or event from going ahead

is identical in meaning but often written without a hyphen
major hold-up
vsshowstopper
4.1

A big delay that stops or slows progress

is a specific technical defect that blocks product release until fixed
unexpected roadblock
vsshowstopper
4.2

A sudden problem that stops progress and causes delay

is a critical defect that halts release, not merely any sudden obstacle
spanner in the plan
vsshowstopper
  • UK
7.0

A sudden problem that stops plans from happening

is a critical, release-blocking defect rather than a general surprise problem

Antonyms

1.0

Getting what you want after working hard

2.1

An answer to a problem or a way to deal with a difficult situation

How Critical

showstopper
  • Jargon
1 6.3
roadblock
50 3.9
problem
1.2
bug
  • Specialized
211 2.8
issue
3.0

Surface Forms

showstopper singular
showstoppers plural

Morphology

showstopper = show + stopper (semi-transparent) = show + stopp + er

The release-blocking sense preserves the metaphor of 'something that stops the show', but the software-management use is specialized jargon.

Etymology

Showstopper comes from the same theatre image: the parts show and stopper suggest something that 'stops the show'. In software and project work, a showstopper is a serious bug or problem that blocks a product release until it is fixed.