be riveted to the spot/ground

be riveted to the ground

To be immobilized by fear or surprise. A: "Why didn't you move when that dog lunged at you?" B: "I don't know, I was just riveted to the ground!" When I saw that car heading straight for me, I was riveted to the ground. Thank goodness my brother pulled me out of the way! We only got caught because Sammy was riveted to the ground after the alarm went off!

See also: ground, rivet, to

be riveted to the spot

To be immobilized by fear or surprise. A: "Why didn't you move when that dog lunged at you?" B: "I don't know, I was just riveted to the spot!" When I saw that car heading straight for me, I was riveted to the spot. Thank goodness my brother pulled me out of the way! We only got caught because Sammy was riveted to the spot after the alarm went off!

See also: rivet, spot, to

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

be ˌriveted to the ˈspot/ˈground

be so shocked or frightened that you cannot move: As he walked away, she wanted to run after him but she felt frozen, riveted to the spot.

See also: ground, rivet, spot, to

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017