[Vocabulary] 'Showstopper' usage

[nowhereue]

As far as I know, Showstopper means a part of something longer is so impressive that the whole show is stopped to appreciate that part.

But, I have seen usage of Showstopper (even with native speakers) as something without which a project (let's say) cannot go forward. It stops, but not to appreciate the impressiveness, but because it is absolutely necessary to have. :-?

Any comment, please?

 

[Rover_KE]

I have never been aware of that usage. It seems to be non-standard as none of the dictionaries here mentions that meaning.

Rover

 

[Amigos4]

A 'deal breaker' is a term that is often used to describe a situation that has reached an impasse.

What is the specific context for your sentence?

 

[SoothingDave]

Yes, it can be used in that way. It is something that literally puts a stop to the show, meaning the project.

 

[nowhereue]

A 'deal breaker' is a term that is often used to describe a situation that has reached an impasse.

What is the specific context for your sentence?

let's say, A research project is going on to develop a product. It needs input from all departments viz. Marketing, Design
, Production, Operation etc. Now, while the project is going on, Finance department is always late with their input. The project manager says "As, this is only a research project and a budget has been allocated, finance input is not a showstopper, though it is good to have."

 

[BobK]

I have never been aware of that usage. It seems to be non-standard as none of the dictionaries here mentions that meaning.

Rover

It's used in the IT world. I initially found it very confusing that a 'Priority 5 Bug' was a 'suggestion' - unlikely ever to be fixed - whereas a 'Priority 1 Bug' (or 'Showstopper bug') involved catastrophic failure - requiring VP signoff and all hands to the pumps.

b

 

[BobK]

Yes, it can be used in that way. It is something that literally puts a stop to the show, meaning the project.

But the confusing thing is that a literal stopper of a show was aong that excited such a huge audience response that they went on demanding encores. So it was a good thing (from the point of view of the writer); although it was a bad thing from the point of view of the caretaker who wanted to lock up at 10.01 p.m.

b