Heart-stopper

A heart-stopper is a thrilling or frightening experience, situation, or object that causes a sudden surge of adrenaline and intense emotional response, often characterized by a racing heartbeat, shallow breathing, and a feeling of heightened awareness. These occurrences can range from physical dangers to suspenseful narratives, leaving one breathless or in a state of shock. The term underscores the gripping nature of the event, implying it is powerful enough to make the heart skip a beat or even stop altogether, though typically not literally.

Heart-stopper meaning with examples

• The rollercoaster's initial plunge was a true heart-stopper. The sudden drop and the wind rushing through my hair left me screaming. Then, there was the sheer speed and the unpredictable twists that were exhilarating. Even though it ended quickly, I found myself reliving that heart-stopping moment for hours after I got off the ride.
• As the detective pieced together the clues, the revelation of the murderer's identity was a heart-stopper. The twist in the plot was unexpected, exposing a family secret. Every viewer gasped and jumped out of their seat. It was a truly unexpected turn that recontextualized the entire story and changed my understanding.
• Walking alone late at night in a dimly lit alleyway, I turned to the sound of footsteps behind me. The possibility of being robbed was a genuine heart-stopper. The increased anticipation and a wave of fear washed over me. I took a deep breath and quickly walked faster. It was a heart-stopping moment.
• Watching the climber suspended by a single rope hundreds of feet in the air was a heart-stopper. Every movement he made caused a ripple of nervousness through the crowd below. Every viewer and bystander was captivated by this heart-stopper. The suspense was so intense that my heart actually seemed to skip a beat.