Stop dead in your tracks Meaning in English
expression
STOP-DED-in-yer-TRACKS
STOP-DED-in-YAW-tracks
Definition
To suddenly stop moving or doing something because you are surprised, scared, or shocked.
Usage & Nuances
Common in informal and narrative contexts; often describes a reaction to surprise, fear, or shock. Used both literally (physical movement) and figuratively (sudden mental pause). Variants include 'freeze' or 'stop in your tracks.' Not used in very formal writing.
Spanish: quedarse paralizado - detenerse en secoPortuguese (BR): parar de repente - ficar paralisadoPortuguese (PT): parar de repente - ficar paralisadoChinese (Simplified): 突然停下脚步Chinese (Traditional): 突然停下腳步Hindi: अचानक रुक जानाArabic: تتوقف فجأةBengali: হঠাৎ থেমে যাওয়া - হাঁটা থামিয়ে দাঁড়িয়ে পড়াRussian: остолбенеть - замереть на местеJapanese: その場で立ち止まる - 動きが止まるVietnamese: đứng sững lại - khựng lạiKorean: 멈춰 서다 - 그대로 멈추다Turkish: donup kalmak - olduğu yerde durmakUrdu: جَمود کا شکار ہو جانا - اپنی جگہ رک جاناIndonesian: berhenti seketika - terhenti mendadak
Example Sentences
I saw a snake and stopped dead in my tracks.
basic
She stopped dead in her tracks when she heard a loud noise.
basic
The child stopped dead in his tracks before crossing the street.
basic
I stopped dead in my tracks when he called my name from behind.
natural
You’ll stop dead in your tracks when you see how amazing this is.
natural
The news made everyone stop dead in their tracks.
natural