stop cold
To halt suddenly and completely.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“The loud noise made him stop cold.”
“When she heard her name called from the dark hallway, she stopped cold in her tracks.”
“The sudden realization of his mistake stopped him cold, leaving him motionless as the gravity of the situation settled over the room.”
- 01
a cold day in July
The time of occurrence of an event that will never happen.
- 02
a short drop and a sudden stop
A fall to one's death by hanging.
- 03
blow hot and cold
To behave inconsistently; to vacillate or to waver, as between extremes of opinion or emotion.
- 04
catch a cold
To contract a cold.
- 05
cold cash
Money, regarded as an incentive that can override any doubts or ethical concerns.
- 06
cold chills
Feelings of fear.
- 07
cold comfort
Much less reassurance, consolation, aid, or pleasure than one needs or desires.
- 08
cold day in Hell
The time of occurrence of an event that will never happen.
Last updated August 10, 2026