stop the payment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stop the payment" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when instructing a bank or financial institution to cancel a payment that has been initiated but not yet completed. Example: "I need to stop the payment for the check I issued last week due to a mistake in the amount."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

It is the recipient who has to stop the payment, not the high earner.

The Guardian - Money

One of the key measures is to stop the payment of commission on the sale of investments and pensions.

The Guardian - Money

The bottom line is that it is a lot easier to stop the payment before it is  made, rather than trying to recapture the money afterward.

The New York Times

One of the key measures in the RDR is to stop the payment of commission on the sale of investments and pensions, which has subsidised the advice offered by a number of providers including some of the large banks.

The Guardian - Money

The upper tribunal ruling, made in February, found that Isle of Anglesey county council, in north Wales, was right to stop the payment of housing benefits to a claimant in respect of the periods he spent at a local emergency night shelter.

The Guardian

18 Appellant undertakes to distinguish the cases upon the basis that in the Mine Safety case the official action sought to be enjoined was conduct effective to stop the payment of funds out of the Treasury, whereas here the analogous conduct affects no funds in the Government's actual possession but seeks only to touch moneys held by third persons for appellant's or the Government's account.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Next day, NI announced they would stop the payments.

The Guardian

But both he and Rupert Murdoch said such "contracts" could make it difficult to stop the payments.

The New York Times

Despite serious efforts to stop the bonuses, the administration apparently was unable to stop the payments.

The Washington Post

They can start and stop the payments at will, though the idea is that they will wait until retirement.

The New York Times

Pressed by the Labour MP Paul Farrelly, Rupert Murdoch said he would stop the payments if he was contractually free to do so.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing a bank or financial institution to cancel a payment, provide all necessary details such as account numbers, payment dates, and amounts to ensure accurate processing.

Common error

Ensure you understand the difference between stopping a payment and reversing one. "Stop the payment" is used when the transaction is pending, while reversing a payment applies to transactions already completed. If the payment has already cleared, you'll need to pursue a reversal, which involves a different process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stop the payment" functions as an imperative, often used to instruct a bank or financial institution to cancel a pending transaction. Ludwig AI indicates that this is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "stop the payment" is a grammatically sound and commonly used imperative instructing the cessation of a pending financial transaction. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts. While alternatives like "cancel the payment" or "halt the payment" exist, understanding the specific context—whether the transaction is pending or already completed—is crucial. Predominantly found in news and media, it maintains a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using this phrase, remember to provide accurate details to your financial institution and distinguish it from reversing a payment that has already cleared.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cease the payment

Replaces "stop" with "cease", indicating a more formal termination of payment.

cancel the payment

Uses "cancel" instead of "stop", implying an annulment of the payment process.

halt the payment

Substitutes "stop" with "halt", suggesting an abrupt interruption of the payment.

suspend the payment

Replaces "stop" with "suspend", indicating a temporary cessation of the payment.

prevent the payment

Shifts focus to preventing the payment from occurring, rather than stopping it mid-process.

block the payment

Uses "block" instead of "stop", implying preventing the payment to be processed.

reverse the payment

Focuses on reversing a payment that has already been made.

rescind the payment

Emphasizes the act of revoking or taking back the payment authorization.

put a stop to the payment

Adds emphasis to the action of stopping the payment, making it more emphatic.

discontinue the payment

Replaces "stop" with "discontinue", suggesting a more permanent end to the payment.

FAQs

What does "stop the payment" mean?

Stopping a payment means to cancel a pending transaction before it is completed. This is typically done when you've made an error or need to prevent funds from being transferred.

How do I "stop the payment" on a check?

Contact your bank immediately and provide the check number, amount, and payee. Banks usually charge a fee for this service, and there's a cutoff time before which you must request the stop.

What can I say instead of "stop the payment"?

You can use alternatives like "cancel the payment", "halt the payment", or "cease the payment" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "stop the payment" and "reverse the payment"?

"Stop the payment" refers to canceling a transaction that hasn't been completed yet, while "reverse the payment" implies reclaiming funds from a transaction that has already cleared. Reversing a payment is often more complex and may require dispute resolution.