他差点（但终究没有）称她为骗子，但他的语气非常尖锐。

He stopped short of ___calling her a liar, but his tone was very critical.

市长差点（但终究没有）承诺减税，只说这事“正在考虑中”。

The mayor stopped short of ___promising tax cuts, saying only that it was 'under consideration'.

在谈判中，他们差点（但终究没有）签署协议，而是选择寻求更多建议。

During negotiations, they stopped short of ___signing the deal, choosing to seek further advice.