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turn to stone

To become completely still, not moving.

The phrase "turn to stone" typically means to become motionless, rigid, or unresponsive. It can also refer to becoming emotionally numb or unfeeling.

The phrase has its origins in Greek mythology, where the Gorgon Medusa was said to have the power to turn anyone who looked at her into stone. In this context, "turning to stone" meant to become petrified, frozen, and unable to move.

In a more metaphorical sense, "turning to stone" can refer to becoming emotionally or mentally rigid, closed off, or unresponsive. For example, a person might be said to have "turned to stone" if they have experienced trauma or emotional distress that has left them numb or unfeeling.

The phrase can also be used to describe a situation where a person or group of people becomes unresponsive or unwilling to change their views or actions. For example, a team that is stuck in their ways and resistant to change might be said to have "turned to stone" in terms of their ability to adapt and evolve.

Overall, the phrase "turn to stone" implies a sense of rigidity, immobility, and unresponsiveness. It can refer to becoming physically or emotionally petrified, and it can also describe a situation where a person or group is unwilling or unable to change or adapt.
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The lions would creep up on their prey, but turn to stone when the prey looked in their direction.

Submitted on September 01, 2009

Modified by acronimous on May 07, 2023

Additional definitions for 'turn to stone':

turn to stoneTo cause something to become stone.
turn to stoneTo metamorphosise into stone.
See them all »

Translation

Find a translation for the turn to stone phrase in other languages:

أنتقل إلى الحجر

obrátit se na kámen

blive til sten

wende dich zu Stein

στροφή προς πέτρα

turniĝu al ŝtono

convertir en piedra

تبدیل به سنگ

kääntyä kiveen

se transformer en pierre

cas ar chloch

पत्थर में बदलें

fordulj kőhöz

դիմել քարին

beralih ke batu

trasformarsi in pietra

להפוך לאבן

石を向ける

ಕಲ್ಲಿಗೆ ತಿರುಗಿ

돌로 돌리다

conversus est lapis

veranderen in steen

bli til stein

obrócić się w kamień

virar pedra

încremeni

каменеть

bli till sten

கல்லாக மாறும்

రాయిగా మారుతుంది

กลายเป็นหิน

taşa dönüşmek

перетворитися на камінь

پتھر پر تبدیل

biến thành đá

ווענדן צו שטיין

转向石头

變成石頭

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    "turn to stone." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 29 Mar. 2024. <https://www.phrases.com/phrase/turn-to-stone_7723>.

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