"Turns to stone" is an idiomatic expression used to describe a transformation or a state in which a person or thing becomes rigid, motionless, or unresponsive due to extreme fear, shock, or paralysis of thought. This phrase derives from the common belief that when people or creatures experience intense terror, they can metaphorically petrify or solidify like stone.
Metaphorically, "turning to stone" indicates a situation in which one's ability to act or think becomes immobilized, often due to overwhelming emotions. It suggests a complete loss of control or a numbing effect that inhibits any response or movement. This idiom pertains particularly to situations that generate extreme fright, panic, or astonishment, halting an individual from taking any further action or making rational decisions.
The term can also be used to characterize an abrupt transformation in the demeanor of a person, causing them to become cold, unfeeling, or unyielding. In this sense, it implies a hardening of one's emotions or mindset, rendering them unresponsive or uncompassionate.
Furthermore, "turns to stone" is frequently used in a fantasy or mythological context, where characters or beings are cursed or enchanted, resulting in their physical transformation into stone statues. This concept symbolizes the loss of life, vitality, or humanity, portraying the profound consequences of succumbing to fear, greed, or other negative influences.
In summary, "turns to stone" is an idiomatic expression that denotes a state of rigid immobility, emotional freeze, or unresponsiveness caused by fear, shock, or paralysis of thought.
