glued to the spot

glued to the spot

Unable to move, usually due to fear or surprise. Primarily heard in UK. I wanted to run when I saw the car headed towards me, but my legs just wouldn't move—I was glued to the spot.
See also: glue, spot
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

ˌglued/ˌrooted to the ˈspot

not able to move, for example because you are frightened or surprised: He shouted at her to run, but she just stood there, glued to the spot. She stood there rooted to the spot when she saw the body.
See also: glue, root, spot
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • glued/rooted to the spot
  • pillars to the temple
  • have the legs of
  • have the legs of (someone)
  • beef to (the) heel like a Mullingar heifer
  • run as fast as (one's) legs can carry (one)
  • run in place
  • feel (one's) legs
  • feel your legs
  • jelly
References in periodicals archive
To protect trees, set codling moth traps, which look like bright yellow or green tents, to which the insects are attracted, and then glued to the spot. Place a small amount of pheromone in the trap (this comes in the kit) to lure males in, and once they are out of the picture, females will remain infertile.
Having problems with pests?
The action was punctuated by moments of silence when the turbaned figures stopped as though glued to the spot. The spectators present the production with the wide-eyed awe of children.
Marvin Gaye Chetwynd: Bonner Kunstverein
Instead of moving to a safe distance, one is glued to the spot as the salivary glands work overtime.
Mission Impossible
He must have realised the danger he was in because he stayed glued to the spot where he had landed."
PUPPY POWER; SCRAPPY A SURVIVES 30FT CLIFF: PLUNGE WITHOUT A SCRATCH
Neither of us could move for several minutes - we were literally glued to the spot!
Frozen to the spot by chilling visitor; Your GHOST stories THE OAK HOUSE
He was glued to the spot and stood outside the gate rather than face the dog.
Fair witty; DUB HUMOUR WEBSITE WILL HAVE US ALL LOGGING ON FOR A LAUGH
Pires appeared to hesitate momentarily and scraped the top of the ball, which remained glued to the spot.
Football: ROB HITS THE SPOT; Pires scores one penalty then completely messes up another ARSENAL..........1 Pires (pen) 61 MAN CITY..........0
Usually I wander about during a game but I was glued to the spot all morning.
Diary down under
Almost everyone remained glued to the spot. The kickoff was a master class for students from School of American Ballet, the official Balanchine training institution.
Wall-to-wall genius
Like all good Mancunians, they didn't smile, and they stayed glued to the spot during a 90-minute set.
Culture: Review: Doves give hope for a dying breed of guitar bands
I was glued to the spot. So we came down and poor Davina had to do it."
DAVINA McFAAALL; 700 ft leap as 'daredevil' bottles out
Price equalised on 81 minutes with a stunning effort from 25 yards, leaving home keeper Danny Trueman glued to the spot.
Football: Horrific injury clouds match
The Happy Prince will captivate even the youngest child, my usually boisterous two and three year old sat glued to the spot for the entire 50 minutes.
So happy to recommend it
Lee will have been scratching his head in disbelief at his inept defence being glued to the spot.
Sedgley's strike earns crazy draw for Wolves; Sheff Wed 1 Wolves 1
"I was glued to the spot. I could hear my heart in my ears.
Knife victim faces agonising wait