turn to stone

USAGE SUMMARY

"turn to stone" is a valid phrase in English and it is often used figuratively for when someone is surprised or overwhelmed; for example, "His face turned to stone when she said he was fired."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Music

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

"The Emperor must turn to stone".

The New Yorker

Study it long enough, and you might turn to stone.

The New York Times

To turn to stone is a figure, however fantastic, for death.

The New Yorker

But when I did the talking he seemed to turn to stone.

Independent

Turn to stone!" Maybe my dates with Wattpad are a bit undignified.

The Guardian - Books

If trolls turn to stone when exposed to sunlight, would a powerful UV lamp have exactly the same effect?

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

My body turned to stone.

The New York Times

His legs had turned to stone.

The Guardian - Books

The reader risks turning to stone.

The New York Times - Books

"My heart turned to stone," she said.

The New York Times

If exposed to sunlight they burst or turned to stone.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "turn to stone" figuratively, ensure the context clearly indicates whether you mean a physical transformation, an emotional shutdown, or a state of shock-induced immobility. This clarity helps avoid misinterpretation and strengthens the impact of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "turn to stone" in contexts where a literal transformation is plausible but unintended. This can create confusion or unintended humor. Ensure your writing clearly distinguishes between a metaphorical expression of shock or emotional numbness and an actual physical change.

Linguistic Context

"Turn to stone" functions as an idiomatic expression, often used as a verb phrase. It describes a sudden and dramatic change, usually a metaphorical transformation resulting in a state of emotional or physical immobility. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through various examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Books

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Music

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "turn to stone" is a versatile idiomatic expression indicating a dramatic transformation, often resulting in emotional or physical paralysis. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, from News & Media to literature and even Science. While generally neutral in register, the phrase is typically employed to express a strong emotional reaction to a surprising or overwhelming event. Related phrases include "become petrified" and "freeze in place", all conveying similar themes of immobility or emotional shutdown. When using "turn to stone", ensure the context clearly defines whether you intend to convey a literal or metaphorical meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become petrified

Suggests a state of extreme fear or shock, leading to immobility.

freeze in place

Emphasizes the sudden cessation of movement due to surprise or fear.

become motionless

Focuses on the lack of movement, often implying a deliberate stillness.

lose all feeling

Indicates an emotional numbness or detachment from a situation.

go numb

Implies a loss of sensation, both physical and emotional.

harden one's heart

Describes the process of becoming emotionally callous or unfeeling.

become unresponsive

Highlights the lack of reaction or communication in a given situation.

stiffen

Describes the body becoming rigid and tense, often due to fear or discomfort.

fossilize

Implies becoming outdated, rigid, or resistant to change, similar to a fossil.

ossify

Refers to the process of becoming hardened or conventional, losing flexibility.

FAQs

How can "turn to stone" be used in a sentence?

"Turn to stone" can describe a physical transformation in myths or a figurative emotional state. For example: "The basilisk's gaze made him "turn to stone"", or "She seemed to "turn to stone" when she heard the news".

What does it mean when someone says they "turned to stone"?

When someone says they "turned to stone", they usually mean they were so shocked, frightened, or overwhelmed that they became emotionally numb or physically still. It's a metaphor for feeling paralyzed.

Which is the correct phrase, "turn to stone" or "turned into stone"?

Both phrases are valid, but they have slightly different connotations. "Turn to stone" is more commonly used as an idiom to describe a sudden state of shock or paralysis. "Turned into stone" might imply a more literal transformation.

What are some alternative phrases for "turn to stone"?

Alternatives include "become petrified", "freeze in place", or "lose all feeling", depending on the specific context you intend to convey.