Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

whistle-stop

noun

ˈhwɪslˌstɒp

Definition

A small station or stop where trains pause briefly to pick up or drop off passengers; commonly used in American political campaigns to describe a series of brief appearances made by a candidate in several towns.

Examples

The presidential candidate made a whistle-stop tour of several key states to meet voters.
They stopped at a whistle-stop during their road trip to grab a quick snack.
In the old days, traveling entertainers would perform at small whistle-stop venues.

Meaning

The term ‘whistle-stop’ refers to quick, often impromptu stops made during a journey, especially by a politician seeking to connect with voters by making rapid visits to multiple locations.