bring/pull (someone) up with a start

if something that someone says brings you up with a start, it surprises you and often causes you to suddenly stop what you were doing.

The sound of his voice pulled me up with a start.

• by the book
• by the dozen
• by the name
• by the name of
• by the same token
• by the seat of pants
• by the seat of your pants
• by the skin of teeth
• by the skin of your teeth
• by the sweat of brow
• by the sweat of your brow
• by the way
• by virtue of
• by virtue of something
• by word of mouth
• cack-handed
• call a halt
• call a halt to
• call a halt to something
• call a spade a spade
• call bluff
• call for
• call for something
• call girl
• call in