- whistle stop
- nouna small railway station between the principal stations or a station where the train stops only on a signal• Syn: ↑flag stop, ↑way station• Hypernyms: ↑railway station, ↑railroad station, ↑railroad terminal, ↑train station, ↑train depot
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1. a small, unimportant town, esp. one along a railroad line.2. a short talk from the rear platform of a train, esp. during a political campaign.3. a brief appearance, single performance, or the like, in a small town, as during a political campaign or theatrical tour.[1920-25, Amer.]* * *
whistle stop noun (informal)1. A small town or railway station, where trains stop only by signal2. Hence whistle-stop speech an electioneering speech made on tour (orig at railway stations), and whistle-stop tour orig such an electioneering tour, now any rapid tour involving brief stops at many places• • •Main Entry: ↑whistle* * *
whistle stop,U.S. Informal.1. a small, little-known town along a railroad line at which a train stops only when signaled.2. a stop at such a town or station for a brief appearance or speech, as in a political campaign tour: »When the campaign train stops in a city town the general steps out on the rear platform, delivers his speech or, if it is truly a whistle stop, simply waves and grins (Life).
–adj.of, having to do with, or at a whistle stop: »whistle-stop speeches.
–v.i.to make brief appearances or speeches at small towns or stations along a railroad, as in a political campaign tour: »Then I had a wonderful day whistle-stopping through the Central Valley of California (New York Times).
–v.t.to make whistle stops across or through: »In a sort of swan song to the Democratic Party as its leader, he offered to whistle-stop the country for his successor (Birmingham News).
Useful english dictionary. 2012.