stops dead
Ceases all motion
To stop dead is to halt abruptly and completely, with no gradual slowing: She stopped dead when she saw the snake.
The phrase emphasizes suddenness—motion ceasing in an instant.
It often describes a startled or shocked reaction: He stopped dead in his tracks when he heard the news.
- startleFrighten suddenly
- caught off guardSurprised when unprepared
- freezeBecome solid from cold
- disruptInterrupt and disorder
- haltComplete sudden stop
grinding halt · brake · abort · terminate · shock · deer in headlights · suspend · derail · cease · paralyze · petrify · flatline · screech · immobilize · stun · block · impede · pause
stops deadkeeps going
Remains in motion
carries on · rolls on · presses on · moves along · proceeds
stops deadtakes off
Leaves or ascends
launches · shoots off · bolts · kicks into gear · sets off
stop, stops, stopped, stopping, stopper, stoppers, stoppage, stoppages, unstoppable