Stop/halt somebody in their tracks
phrase
To suddenly stop because you are surprised or shocked by something.
The astonishing news stopped her in her tracks.
Often appears as...
- news stopped him in his tracks
- fear halted her in her tracks
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
To prevent someone from continuing an action or process.
The sudden storm stopped the hikers in their tracks.
Often appears as...
- weather stopped them in their tracks
- danger halted him in his tracks
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
To suddenly stop because you are surprised or shocked by something.
The astonishing news stopped her in her tracks.
Often appears as...
- news stopped him in his tracks
- fear halted her in her tracks
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
To prevent someone from continuing an action or process.
The sudden storm stopped the hikers in their tracks.
Often appears as...
- weather stopped them in their tracks
- danger halted him in his tracks
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Strong Impact
Use when something has a powerful effect that causes a person to pause suddenly.
Her performance was so moving, it stopped everyone in their tracks.
Pro Tip 2/3Emotional Reaction
Often relates to a sudden emotional reaction such as shock, awe, or fear.
When the verdict was read, the silence that followed stopped us in our tracks.
Pro Tip 3/3Unexpected Events
Best used in scenarios where the cause of stopping is unforeseen.
The deer leaping onto the path stopped the cyclist in his tracks.
Pro Tip 1/3Strong Impact
Use when something has a powerful effect that causes a person to pause suddenly.
Her performance was so moving, it stopped everyone in their tracks.
Pro Tip 2/3Emotional Reaction
Often relates to a sudden emotional reaction such as shock, awe, or fear.
When the verdict was read, the silence that followed stopped us in our tracks.
Pro Tip 3/3Unexpected Events
Best used in scenarios where the cause of stopping is unforeseen.
The deer leaping onto the path stopped the cyclist in his tracks.
Pro Tip 1/3Strong Impact
Use when something has a powerful effect that causes a person to pause suddenly.
Her performance was so moving, it stopped everyone in their tracks.
Pro Tip 2/3Emotional Reaction
Often relates to a sudden emotional reaction such as shock, awe, or fear.
When the verdict was read, the silence that followed stopped us in our tracks.
Pro Tip 3/3Unexpected Events
Best used in scenarios where the cause of stopping is unforeseen.
The deer leaping onto the path stopped the cyclist in his tracks.
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