conversation-stoppernoun [ C usually singular ]
uk/kɒn.vəˈseɪ.ʃənˌstɒp.ər/us/kɑːn.vɚˈseɪ.ʃənˌstɑː.pɚ/a remark that stops the natural flow of the conversation because it is unexpected and in some way causes embarrassment or shock:
When she told us her son was in prison, it was a real conversation-stopper.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Informal talking & conversation
- a problem shared is a problem halved idiom
- bants
- blarney
- chatter
- chew
- converse
- exchange
- gas
- jaw
- make yourself understood idiom
- natter
- orally
- pass
- pillow talk
- shoot the breeze idiom
- shoptalk
- talk shop idiom
- talk some sense into sb idiom
- understand
- wash your dirty linen in public idiom
See more results »