Idioms For Surprise

noun a word used to identify any of a class of people, places, or things

preposition a word governing, and usually preceding, a noun or pronoun and expressing a relation to another word or element in the clause

article a word that is used with a noun to specify grammatical definiteness of the noun

• The candidate froze during the interview, like a rabbit caught in the headlights.
• When the teacher called on him unexpectedly, he looked like a deer caught in the headlights.
• She was so shocked by the news, she stood there like a deer in headlights.
• Facing the large crowd, the speaker felt like a rabbit caught in the headlights.