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Showstopper vs Stopgap - What's the difference?

showstopper | stopgap |

As nouns the difference between showstopper and stopgap

is that showstopper is a performance or segment of a theatrical production that induces a positive audience reaction strong enough to pause the production while stopgap is a temporary measure or short-term fix used until something better can be obtained.

As an adjective stopgap is

temporary; short-term.

showstopper

English

Alternative forms

* show-stopper, show stopper

Noun

(en noun)
  • A performance or segment of a theatrical production that induces a positive audience reaction strong enough to pause the production.
  • Any impediment that prevents all further progress; especially a software bug that must be fixed before any further development is possible

    • stopgap

    English

    Alternative forms

    * stop-gap (more common in the UK)

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Temporary; short-term.
    • They put a stopgap solution in place, but need something more permanent.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A temporary measure or short-term fix used until something better can be obtained.
    • The small company uses their new product features as a stopgap until they can develop a new product.

    Related terms

    * quick fix