Her heart skipped a beat when she saw the spider.

Meaning: She was startled and felt her heart stop momentarily when she noticed the spider.

Choice of Words: Heart is the organ that pumps blood throughout the body, skipped means missed a beat or momentarily stopped, and beat is the rhythmic contraction and relaxation of the heart.

Alternative Expressions

Her heart jumped a little when she saw the spider.

Meaning: This sentence means that her heart moved quickly for a short time when she saw the spider.

Choice of Words: The word "jumped" is used to describe a sudden movement. "A little" means not very much. "When" tells us that the jumping happened at the same time as she saw the spider.

Her heart stopped for a moment when she saw the spider.

Meaning: This sentence means that her heart stopped beating for a very short time when she saw the spider.

Choice of Words: The word "stopped" means to come to a complete halt. "For a moment" means for a very short time. "When" tells us that the stopping happened at the same time as she saw the spider.

Related Expressions