Dictionary

stopgap en · ADJ

Pronunciation

• /ˈstɑpˌɡæp/ (General-American)
• (General-American) audio
• /ˈstɒpɡæp/ (Received-Pronunciation)

Etymology

The noun is derived from stop (“to close or block (an opening)”) + gap, from the phrase to stop a gap. The adjective is from an attributive use of the noun, and the verb is derived from the noun.

Meanings

1. (not-comparable) Short-term; temporary.
   • They put a stopgap solution in place, but need something more permanent.
2. (not-comparable) Filling a gap or pause.

Forms

Relateds

impromptu · tideover

Synonyms

interim

Translations (4)

cmn 湊數 /凑数 (filling a gap or pause) · nan-hbl 準數 /准数 (filling a gap or pause) · ru вре́менный (filling a gap or pause) · ja 姑息 (filling a gap or pause)

stopgap en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /ˈstɑpˌɡæp/ (General-American)
• (General-American) audio
• /ˈstɒpɡæp/ (Received-Pronunciation)

Etymology

The noun is derived from stop (“to close or block (an opening)”) + gap, from the phrase to stop a gap. The adjective is from an attributive use of the noun, and the verb is derived from the noun.

Meanings

1. (rare) That which stops up or fills a gap or hole.
   • [A] bit of ink and paper which has long been an innocent wrapping or stop-gap may at last be laid open under the one pair of eyes which have knowledge enough to turn it into the opening of a catastrophe. 1872, George Eliot [pseudonym; Mary Ann Evans], chapter XLI, in Middlemarch […], volume II, Edinburgh; London: William Blackwood and Sons, →OCLC, book IV, page 347:
2. (figuratively) Something spoken to fill up an uncomfortable pause in speech; a filled pause or filler.
3. (figuratively) A short-term fix or temporary measure used until something better can be obtained; that which serves as an expedient in an emergency; a band-aid solution.
   • It is often argued that the HST saved BR's InterCity market. It was only ever intended as a stopgap, but it proved to be a winner. 2019 October 23, Pip Dunn, “The Next King of Scotland”, in Rail, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire: Bauer Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 50:
   • The small company used their old product with a few kludged enhancements as a stopgap until they could develop a new product.
   • Perhaps I shall be told that this wintry exhibition is a mere stopgap and makeshift, until a fresh supply of bright new paintings can be procured, and that it is ultra vires to obtain such for love or money before the merry month of May. 1897, Thomas Anstey Guthrie, “Chapter 4”, in Baboo Hurry Bungsho Jabberjee, B.A.:
4. (figuratively, specifically) A short-term fix or temporary measure used until something better can be obtained; that which serves as an expedient in an emergency; a band-aid solution. ▸ A person appointed or hired to fill a position temporarily until a permanent appointment or hire can be made; a temp.
   • As witness the following. Mr Strudwick, the regular master of the form, happened on one occasion to be away for a couple of days, and a stop-gap was put in in his place. The name of the stop-gap was Mr Somerville Smith. He and Farnie exchanged an unspoken declaration of war almost immediately. 1903, P. G. Wodehouse, “Chapter 4”, in A Prefect's Uncle:

Forms

Synonyms

bodge · makeshift · fiddle · quick-and-dirty · workaround · fillgap · patch-up · band-aid · band-aid · hack · kluge · bandaid · jugaad · fiddle · quick-and-dirty · kludge · band-aid solution · cludge · quick fix · kludge · workaround · makeshift · band-aid · quick fix · put-together · make-do · patch · jugaad · bodge · bandaid · make-do · quick fix · band-aid · patch · lash-up · kluge · quick fix · hack job · cludge · hack job · put-together · patch-up · lash-up · hack · band-aid solution · stopgap · stopgap

Translations (27)

nl lapmiddel (short-term fix or temporary measure used until something better can be obtained) · bg временна мярка (short-term fix or temporary measure used until something better can be obtained) · de Lückenbüßer (short-term fix or temporary measure used until something better can be obtained) · fr pis-aller (short-term fix or temporary measure used until something better can be obtained) · es paliativo (short-term fix or temporary measure used until something better can be obtained) · fr bouche-trou (short-term fix or temporary measure used until something better can be obtained) · es parche (short-term fix or temporary measure used until something better can be obtained) · es remiendo (short-term fix or temporary measure used until something better can be obtained) · fr rustine (short-term fix or temporary measure used until something better can be obtained) · fi hätävara (short-term fix or temporary measure used until something better can be obtained) · ja 對症療法 (short-term fix or temporary measure used until something better can be obtained) · it palliativo (short-term fix or temporary measure used until something better can be obtained) · cmn 權宜之計 /权宜之计 (short-term fix or temporary measure used until something better can be obtained) · pl zapchajdziura (that which stops up or fills a gap or hole) · pl prowizorka (short-term fix or temporary measure used until something better can be obtained) · de Notlösung (short-term fix or temporary measure used until something better can be obtained) · hu sufnituning (short-term fix or temporary measure used until something better can be obtained) · de Lückenfüller (short-term fix or temporary measure used until something better can be obtained) · lv tapa (short-term fix or temporary measure used until something better can be obtained) · cs provizorium (short-term fix or temporary measure used until something better can be obtained) · pl zapchajdziura (short-term fix or temporary measure used until something better can be obtained) · es paños calientes (short-term fix or temporary measure used until something better can be obtained) · de Lochstopfer (short-term fix or temporary measure used until something better can be obtained) · ja 対症療法 (short-term fix or temporary measure used until something better can be obtained) · ca tapaforats (short-term fix or temporary measure used until something better can be obtained) · nl stoplap (that which stops up or fills a gap or hole) · io remediacho (short-term fix or temporary measure used until something better can be obtained)

stopgap en · VERB

Pronunciation

• /ˈstɑpˌɡæp/ (General-American)
• (General-American) audio
• /ˈstɒpɡæp/ (Received-Pronunciation)

Etymology

The noun is derived from stop (“to close or block (an opening)”) + gap, from the phrase to stop a gap. The adjective is from an attributive use of the noun, and the verb is derived from the noun.

Meanings

1. (transitive) To stop up or fill (a physical gap or hole, or a hiatus).
2. (intransitive) To use something as a short-term fix or temporary measure until a better alternative can be obtained.
3. (intransitive, specifically) To use something as a short-term fix or temporary measure until a better alternative can be obtained. ▸ To work at a position temporarily until a permanent appointment or hire is made.

Forms

Relateds

hold over · tide over

Translations (1)

nl lapzalven (to use something as a short-term fix or temporary measure until a better alternative can be obtained)