stop/freeze in one's tracks

1 of 2

phrase (1)

: to stop doing something suddenly or immediately

He stopped/froze in his tracks, turned, and came back.

stop (someone) in his/her tracks

2 of 2

phrase (2)

: 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