stop (someone) in his/her tracks

phrase

: to surprise (someone) very much : to cause someone to stop and think

Hearing the show's poignant ballad, "Memory Song," stopped me in my tracks.

—Jennifer Ledbury

Examples of stop (someone) in his/her tracks in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Good captured the hilarious clip while out on a walk with her dog when a siren sounded in the distance—prompting the pup to stop in his tracks and spring into action. — Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026

Huff has thrived as a speed rusher in Robert Saleh’s defense, and Ekwonu and Moton will need to get their hands on him early to stop in his tracks. — Diamond Vences, Charlotte Observer, 18 Nov. 2025

Lined up for a 27-yard field goal attempt midway through the fourth, holder Oscar Doyle bobbled the snap, forcing kicker Colton Boomer — who earlier boomed a 50-yard FG — to stop in his tracks. — Jim Keyser, Idaho Statesman, 12 Oct. 2025

That means calling on the international community for help -- diplomatic solutions, sanctions, pressure on Russia -- anything that would make a dictator stop in his tracks. — Olesia Markovic, CNN, 24 Feb. 2022

This attention-grabbing ensemble made the 2017 Tournament of Champions winner immediately stop in his tracks. — Selena Barrientos, Good Housekeeping, 28 Jan. 2022