be stock still

be stock still

To not move at all. You kids need to be stock still out here until the firemen are done investigating the building, OK? I didn't want my grandmother to catch me rooting through her jewelry box, so when I heard her in the hallway, I got in the closet and was stock still until she left. After his name was called, he was stock still, too nervous to move.

See also: still, stock

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

be, stay, stand, etc. ˌstock-ˈstill

be, stay, etc. still, without moving at all: When I heard footsteps on the stairs, I stood stock-still and held my breath.

Stock-still means as still as a stock (= an old word for a piece of wood).

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017