whistle-stop
[ hwis-uh l-stop, wis- ]
/ ˈʰwɪs əlˌstɒp, ˈwɪs- /
verb (used without object), whis·tle-stopped, whis·tle-stop·ping.
to campaign for political office by traveling around the country, originally by train, stopping at small communities to address voters.
to take a trip consisting of several brief, usually overnight, stops.
adjective
occurring at a whistle stop; consisting of whistle stops: a whistle-stop speech; a whistle-stop tour of the Northwest.
Origin of whistle-stop
First recorded in 1950–55
Words nearby whistle-stop
Definition for whistle-stop (2 of 2)
whistle stop
noun
a small, unimportant town, especially one along a railroad line.
a short talk from the rear platform of a train, especially during a political campaign.
a brief appearance, single performance, or the like, in a small town, as during a political campaign or theatrical tour.
Origin of whistle stop
An Americanism dating back to 1920–25
Example sentences from the Web for whistle-stop
Seventy-five miles south of Chicago there is a whistle-stop called Shipmont.
The Fourth R |George Oliver Smith
British Dictionary definitions for whistle-stop
whistle stop
noun
US and Canadian
- a minor railway station where trains stop only on signal
- a small town having such a station
- a brief appearance in a town, esp by a political candidate to make a speech, shake hands, etc
- (as modifier)a whistle-stop tour
verb whistle-stop -stops, -stopping or -stopped
(intr)
to campaign for office by visiting many small towns to give short speeches