stop (someone or something) (dead) in its/(one's) tracks
To make someone or something stop or come to a complete halt immediately or very suddenly. Hearing the gunshot in the distance stopped us both dead in our tracks. Boy, Samantha could stop you in her tracks with her smile!
stop/halt somebody in their ˈtracks
, stop/halt/freeze in your ˈtracks
suddenly make somebody stop by frightening or surprising them; suddenly stop because something has frightened or surprised you: The question stopped Alice in her tracks.The horse stopped dead in its tracks and refused to move.