rooted to the spot

rooted to the spot (not comparable)

1. Not moving or flinching due to surprise.

   Synonyms: riveted to the spot, rooted to the floor, rooted to the ground

   • 2023 June 3, Phil McNulty, “Manchester City 2-1 Manchester United”, in BBC Sport‎, Wembley Stadium:

     De Gea was rooted to the spot for Gundogan's opener then went down desperately slowly for the second, late to react to a volley that was not cleanly hit and even bounced in front of the Spaniard twice before he belatedly got a hand to it.

• “rooted to the spot”, in Cambridge English Dictionary, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire: Cambridge University Press, 1999–present.
• “rooted to the spot”, in Collins English Dictionary.
• “rooted to the spot floor ground etc” in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Longman.