# stop cold

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/stop-cold
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To halt suddenly and completely.

## Examples

- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.