stop something in its tracks Idiom

make tracks

hurry, move quickly, vamoose We better make tracks or we'll be late for dinner.

stop you in your tracks

cause you to stop, prevent you from going further You know what will stop you dead in your tracks? A bear, that's what.

the wrong side of the tracks

Idiom(s): the wrong side of the tracks

Theme: LOCATION

the poor part of a town.
• They said that Bob was from the wrong side of the tracks, but that it didn't matter.
• We went to a school that was on the wrong side of the tracks, and we all got a fine education.

the other side of the tracks

Idiom(s): the other side of the tracks

Theme: LOCATION

the poorer section of town or the richer section of town, depending on perspective.
• He is from a wealthy family and I am from a very humble background, but he is the first boy I have met from the other side of the tracks, and I want to marry him.
• I hear he is dating someone from the other side of the tracks.

follow in one's tracks

Idiom(s): follow in someone's tracks AND follow in someone's footsteps

Theme: SAMENESS

to follow someone's example; to assume someone else's role or occupation.
• The vice president was following in the president's footsteps when he called for budget cuts.
• She followed in her father's footsteps and went into medicine.

drop in one's tracks

Idiom(s): drop in one's tracks

Theme: DAYDREAM

to stop or collapse from exhaustion; to die suddenly.
• If I keep working this way, I'll drop in my tracks.
• Bob was working in the garden and dropped in his tracks, dead as a doornail.

dead in one's or sth's tracks

Idiom(s): dead in one's or sth's tracks

Theme: STOP

exactly where someone or something is at the moment; at this instant. (This does not usually have anything to do with death. The phrase is often used with stop.)
• Her unkind words stopped me dead in my tracks.
• When I heard the rattlesnake, I stopped dead in my tracks.
• The project came to a halt dead in its tracks.

cover one's tracks

Idiom(s): cover one's tracks (up)

Theme: DECEPTION

to conceal one's trail; to conceal one's past activities.
• She was able to cover her tracks up so that they couldn't find her.
• It's easy to cover up your tracks if you aren't well known.
• The robber failed to cover his tracks.

cover one's tracks|cover|cover up one's tracks|tra

v. phr. 1. To hide and not leave anything, especially foot marks, to show where you have been, so that no one can follow you. The deer covered his tracks by running in a stream. 2. informal To hide or not say where you have been or what you have done; not tell why you do something or what you plan to do. The boys covered their tracks when they went swimming by saying that they were going for a walk.
Compare: COVER UP¹.

in one's tracks|tracks

adv. phr., informal 1. Just where one is at the moment; abruptly; immediately. The hunter's rifle cracked and the rabbit dropped in his tracks. Mary stopped dead in her tracks, turned around, and ran back home.
Synonym: ON THE SPOT¹, THEN AND THERE. 2. See: FOLLOW IN ONE'S FOOTSTEPS.

stop (someone or something) (dead) in its/(one's) tracks

To accomplish addition or article stop or appear to a complete arrest anon or actual suddenly. Hearing the gunshot in the ambit chock-full us both asleep in our tracks. Boy, Samantha could stop you in her advance with her smile!Learn more: stop, track

stop article in its tracks

stop article asleep in its tracks

COMMON If addition or article stops a action or action in its tracks or stops it dead in its tracks, they accomplish it anon stop continuing or developing. Francis acquainted he would like to stop this chat in its tracks. These job losses could stop Britain's bread-and-butter awakening asleep in its tracks.Learn more: something, stop, track

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