stop in tracks

stop (someone) in their tracks

if something stops someone in their tracks, or if they stop in their tracks, they suddenly stop what they are doing because they are so surprised. A loud scream stopped me dead in my tracks. He opened the door and stopped in his tracks. A complete stranger was sitting in his office.

See also: stop, track

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stop (dead) in your tracks

to suddenly stop moving or doing something. When I heard the loud scream, I stopped dead in my tracks.

Usage notes: often used in the forms stop someone (dead) in their tracks or stop something (dead) in its tracks: The memo was supposed to stop the protest in its tracks.

stop short

See also: stop, track