rooted to the spot en · ADJ
Meanings
-
(not-comparable) Not 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
rooted to the floor · riveted to the spot · rooted to the ground