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to whistlestop

to whistlestop

8.9
To travel between towns by train, stopping briefly to speak to voters
  • verb
  • /ˈhwɪstlˌstɑp/
  • Literature
translation icon : hacer paradas
  • She whistlestopped across the Midwest, greeting supporters at every station.

Examples

  • The candidate plans to whistlestop through five states in just three days.

  • The candidate will whistlestop across the state this weekend.

  • With a tight schedule, they whistlestopped their way from town to town.

  • During the election, she whistlestopped at several towns.

  • The candidate plans to whistlestop through five states in just three days.

  • With a tight schedule, they whistlestopped their way from town to town.

  • She whistlestopped across the Midwest, greeting supporters at every station.

Synonyms

to stump
vsto whistlestop
  • US
12 7.9

To travel around an area making political speeches

travels mainly by train and makes very brief campaign stops

How Extensive

to campaign
344 3.9
to barnstorm
  • Literature
4 8.4
to tour
184 1.9
to whistlestop
  • Literature
8.9
to stop
1.0

Surface Forms

whistlestop infinitive
whistlestopped past participle
whistlestopping present participle
whistlestops third person singular

Etymology

Whistlestop comes from old campaign trips by train where the engine blew its whistle and made a quick stop so a politician could give a short speech from the platform. So, to 'whistlestop' is to travel from place to place making brief stops to ask for votes.