stop (someone) dead

stop (someone) dead

To make someone or something come to a complete halt immediately or very suddenly. Hearing the gunshot in the distance stopped us both dead. Boy, Samantha could stop you dead with her smile!
See also: dead, stop

stop dead

To immediately or suddenly come to a complete halt. I don't know what happened. The engine was running fine a second ago, but then it just stopped dead! Both of us stopped dead when we heard the gunshot in the distance.
See also: dead, stop
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • stop dead
  • stop (one) cold
  • stop cold
  • not a peep from/out of (someone)
  • past caring
  • (way) past caring
  • in (one's) possession
  • in possession
  • possession
  • glorified