Guide 108 / 200 3 alternatives 2-minute read
Better ways to say “Hard stop”
Meeting-room for "I must leave at X."
i · Why avoid itTwo lines, no filler
"Hard stop" is calendar-speak. It's fine conversationally; in writing, "firm deadline" or "fixed end time" is clearer.
ii · Before & afterDrop-in demo
Before
I have a hard stop at 4pm.
After
I must leave at 4pm sharp.
iii · The alternatives3 ways out
- 01Firm deadline neutral
project context
Friday is a firm deadline.
- 02Fixed end time neutral
meetings
A fixed end time of 4pm.
- 03Cut-off neutral
submissions and applications
The cut-off is 5pm Friday.
iv · Brew tipKeep this one
In meetings, "hard stop" is fine — in writing, name the time.