rooted to the spot

IPA/ɹˈuːtɪd tə ðə spˈɒt/
IPA/ɹˈuːɾᵻd tə ðə spˈɑːt/

rooted to the spot — idiom

1. to be so frightened, shocked, or surprised that you stay completely still and ca

1.慣用語B2
釋義

to be so frightened, shocked, or surprised that you stay completely still and cannot move your body.

例句

Asher stood rooted to the spot when the bear appeared on the path ahead.

rooted to the spot + when [threatening event]

The cat was rooted to the spot, watching the approaching dog with wide eyes.

passive: be rooted to the spot + present participle

同義詞
  • frozen

    more general; can describe both physical stillness and emotional shock

  • transfixed

    suggests being unable to move because something holds your attention completely

  • paralysed (UK) / paralyzed (US)

    stronger; implies a total inability to act, often from fear

  • petrified

    emphasises extreme fear rather than physical stillness

文法句型

be rooted to the spot

stand rooted to the spot

remain rooted to the spot

用法筆記

Always uses the fixed phrase 'to the spot' — common errors like 'rooted on the spot' or 'rooted at the spot' are incorrect. The idiom is frequently used with the verbs 'stand', 'be', 'remain', or 'stay'.

常見錯誤

❌She stood rooted on the spot when she saw the snake.
✅She stood rooted to the spot when she saw the snake.
💡the fixed preposition is 'to', not 'on' or 'at'.
❌The loud noise rooted me to the ground.
✅The loud noise left me rooted to the spot.
💡'rooted to the spot' is the fixed phrase; 'rooted to the ground' is a different expression.