stop it already

USAGE SUMMARY

"stop it already" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express annoyance or impatience, usually when someone is continuing to do something you think they should stop doing. Example: "Hey, you're trying my patience! Stop it already!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

CELEBRITIES Stop it already.

The New York Times

I mean, stop it already".

The New Yorker

He implored politicians and pundits to stop it already.

The New York Times

And when they do, you just have to punctuate it with "finally!" ** Just stop it already.

TechCrunch

Stop it, already.

HuffPost

Just stop it already".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

We don't even do University Challenge chocolates and making-out … stop it, enough already!

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Either it was about to, and I was too fragile and ashamed to stop it, or it already had.

Vice

Bill Pennington has a suggestion: stop it and play, already!

The New York Times

The United States is pushing Japan to suspend its hunt of humpback whales, and the American ambassador to Tokyo said an agreement to stop it may have already been reached.

The New York Times

Google and Facebook have said they are working on ways to eliminate fake news or stop it spreading, and have already taken steps such as cutting off ad revenue to some sites identified as sources of completely made up stories.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stop it already" when you want to express a sense of urgency and frustration, but be mindful of your audience. In very formal settings, a more polite request might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "stop it already" excessively in your writing, as it can come across as repetitive and diminish the impact of your message. Vary your language to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

Stop it already" serves as an imperative phrase, demanding the cessation of an action. Ludwig AI confirms its use to express annoyance or impatience, mirroring examples where the phrase is used to implore others to cease undesirable behaviors.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "stop it already" is a commonly used imperative phrase to express impatience and demand the immediate cessation of an action. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct, although more suitable for informal contexts. While originating from authoritative sources like The New York Times and Huffington Post, its use should be weighed against the need for formality. Consider alternatives like "enough already" or "cut it out" depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enough already

Emphasizes that the limit has been reached and no more is acceptable.

quit it

A simple and direct alternative to "stop it".

cut it out

Replaces "stop it" with a more concise command to cease the action.

knock it off

Offers a slightly more forceful and colloquial way to demand cessation.

give it a rest

Suggests the action has been prolonged and needs to stop.

lay off

Suggests that someone is being excessive or annoying and should stop.

pack it in

An informal way to tell someone to stop doing something, often used in British English.

put a lid on it

Implies that the situation is escalating and needs to be controlled.

desist

A single-word command to stop, more formal than "stop it".

cease and desist

A formal and legalistic way to demand an immediate stop to an action.

FAQs

How can I use "stop it already" in a sentence?

You can use "stop it already" to express frustration when someone is doing something annoying. For example, "The kids are making too much noise; someone tell them to "stop it already"!"

What is a more formal alternative to "stop it already"?

In formal situations, consider using phrases like "please cease that behavior" or "I must ask you to stop". These alternatives are more polite and less likely to offend.

Is "stop it already" grammatically correct?

Yes, "stop it already" is grammatically correct, although it is informal. The word 'already' emphasizes the speaker's impatience.

When is it inappropriate to use "stop it already"?

Avoid using "stop it already" in professional settings, formal writing, or when speaking to someone in a position of authority. The phrase can be seen as rude or disrespectful.