stop dead in tracks



stop dead in one's tracks

Fig. to stop completely still suddenly because of fear, a noise, etc. I stopped dead in my tracks when I heard the scream. The deer stopped dead in its tracks when it heard the hunter step on a fallen branch.
See also: dead, stop, track

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Laurits-Danish, Norwegian
Yumikoyoo-mee-koJapanese
Eran-Biblical
Kent[kent]
GervÁSio-Portuguese
Ruf-Russian