like a deer / rabbit caught in (the) headlights

/lˈaɪk ɐ dˈiə ɹˈabɪt kˈɔːt ɪn ðə hˈɛdlaɪts/

/lˈaɪk ɐ dˈɪɹ ɹˈæbɪt kˈɔːt ɪn ðə hˈɛdlaɪts/

used to refer to a state in which someone is so surprised or frightened that they are unable to think clearly or make any move