time stood still

leena   Mon Mar 26, 2007 7:59 am GMT
( time stood still) does it mean that time stopped?
Rene   Mon Mar 26, 2007 2:37 pm GMT
No, it means that even if the amount of time you're talking about was only a minute, it seemed like forever, like some undefinable amount of time. Ususally, this is used in the context of a moment of suspense or excitement. For example, if you were in court waiting to hear whether or not you got the death penalty for some heinous crime and the judge takes forever to announce the sentence, you could say that time seemed to stand still. Not that I have ever had to wait to hear if I got the death sentence or that I've ever even been arrested, nor do I suspect that you have been, but you can image...
Damian in Edinburgh   Mon Mar 26, 2007 4:03 pm GMT
Just watch Jeremy Kyle as he pauses before he announces the result of a DNA test. Time stands still for the poor sap on his stage which is why Kyle does it purely for the suspense effect......it can't be good for anyone with dodgy blood pressure.
leena   Tue Mar 27, 2007 9:02 am GMT
I think it suits a literary context, doesnt that right?

well thanx a lot rene for ur creative explanation
thanx damian in edinburgh 4 ur post