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to stop dead in one's tracks
01
to suddenly stop moving or doing something due to being extremely surprised, frightened, or impressed
What is the origin of the idiom "stop in one's tracks" and when to use it?
The idiom "stop in one's tracks" likely originated from the literal act of suddenly halting one's movement or progress. It is used figuratively to describe a situation where someone is so surprised, shocked, or confronted with a significant event or information that it causes them to stop or freeze in place, as if their physical and mental momentum has been abruptly halted.
Example
The unexpected sight of a bear on the hiking trail made the hikers stop in their tracks and slowly back away.
When she heard her name announced as the winner, she stopped in her tracks in disbelief.
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