stop someone in their tracks: meaning & examples

Meanings:

• 1.

  General EnglishUSUKneutral
  • To cause a person to halt suddenly and abruptly, especially while walking or moving, because of surprise, shock, fear, or an unexpected event.

  Examples

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  • Laura stopped someone in their tracks when she suddenly revealed the truth about the missing funds.

    Laura stopped someone in their tracks when she suddenly revealed the truth about the missing funds.

  • You could stop someone in their tracks with a well-timed question that catches them off guard.

    You could stop someone in their tracks with a well-timed question that catches them off guard.

  • The sudden appearance of the celebrity stopped someone in their tracks as they walked down the street.

    The sudden appearance of the celebrity stopped someone in their tracks as they walked down the street.

  • When the unexpected announcement came, it stopped someone in their tracks, leaving them speechless.

    When the unexpected announcement came, it stopped someone in their tracks, leaving them speechless.

• 2.

  General EnglishUSUKneutralfigurative
  • To interrupt or prevent someone's progress, plans, or actions by creating a decisive obstacle or moment of astonishment.

  Examples

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  • The scandal stopped someone in their tracks, forcing them to rethink their entire campaign strategy.

    The scandal stopped someone in their tracks, forcing them to rethink their entire campaign strategy.

  • That sudden budget cut could stop someone in their tracks, especially if they were relying on those funds.

    That sudden budget cut could stop someone in their tracks, especially if they were relying on those funds.

  • The unexpected legal ruling stopped someone in their tracks, derailing their plans for expansion.

    The unexpected legal ruling stopped someone in their tracks, derailing their plans for expansion.