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Stop Dead

What Does "Stop Dead" Mean?

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"Stop dead" is an English idiom. It means "to suddenly come to a complete stop or halt."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "stop dead" used in a sentence:
  • The car's engine sputtered and then stopped dead in the middle of the highway.
  • As soon as the teacher walked into the classroom, the students stopped dead in their tracks.
  • The sudden appearance of the bear made them stop dead in their hike and retreat cautiously.
meaning for stop dead

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Stop Dead" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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