立ち竦む

たちすくむ
to be petrified
to be unable to move

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たちすくむ【立ち竦む】

be petrified; stand rooted [riveted] to the spot; freeze 《in horrified surprise》; be paralyzed 《with horror》; be stupefied 《with amazement》.

●あまりの恐ろしさに立ちすくむ be petrified [paralyzed, unable to move] out of horror

・その光景を見て立ちすくむ be transfixed [paralyzed] (with horror) at the sight.

●彼はその場に立ちすくんだ. He stood rooted [riveted] to the spot. | He stopped, frozen in his tracks.

・双方立ちすくみの状態だった. Both of them froze in their tracks.