rooted to the spot

Meanings

adjectiverooted to the spot (not comparable)

not comparableNot moving or flinching due to surprise.
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.
2023 June 3, Phil McNulty, “Manchester City 2-1 Manchester United”, in BBC Sport, Wembley Stadium
Synonyms: riveted to the spot, rooted to the floor, rooted to the ground

adjectiveNot moving or flinching due to surprise.

Also see

Cite this entry

APA

rooted to the spot. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/rooted%20to%20the%20spot

MLA

“rooted to the spot.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/rooted%20to%20the%20spot. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “rooted to the spot,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/rooted%20to%20the%20spot.