The phrase "afraid of one's own shadow" is a figurative expression that communicates extreme timidity or excessive fearfulness. The origin of the phrase is unclear, but it likely emerged from the idea that someone is so easily frightened that they would even be afraid of their own shadow, which is an inanimate and harmless object. It suggests that the person is overly sensitive to potential threats or dangers, even when they are unlikely or non-existent.

What is the origin of the idiom "make a go of something" and when to use it?

(afraid|scared|frightened) of {one's} own shadow

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=YWZyYWlkIG9mIG9uZSdzIG93biBzaGFkb3c&hash=c0d6b851cee81c6f414ed0b4a6d161ad46610baf&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to blanch

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gYmxhbmNo&hash=c4668e4bff5f9517b3320cf8a5468f8b66e2da2f&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to blench

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gYmxlbmNo&hash=eb78b75c8bc149312660df803bb99d1e2f1b3b71&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to chatter

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gY2hhdHRlcg&hash=a3f05a4f1cfc0fa4138c678f6194d0c555f5b7bb&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to cower

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gY293ZXI&hash=acdd9594f8e187effeb578de4ef6e82c688da3b1&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to fear

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gZmVhcg&hash=f339954f09fe606f1cb07ffcae59cf417410073c&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to flinch

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gZmxpbmNo&hash=74eff9affffc8d084515e44821f6c56cee2bef3e&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to freak

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gZnJlYWs&hash=91870223d3dd2143b1279df7f80279a90895208d&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to gibber

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gZ2liYmVy&hash=26e57606e9bff033d1080006d32dfc2620d11bb1&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to hyperventilate

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gaHlwZXJ2ZW50aWxhdGU&hash=2c851afcfc921ff3024334cb40e68b40f08fc0cd&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to knock

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8ga25vY2s&hash=81cdefa9f7b52b44a78a451395300d8a9d5e9c19&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to knot

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8ga25vdA&hash=dc3cb88ed3f41a26c99f8907ea2e37de2a88cddb&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to overawe

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gb3ZlcmF3ZQ&hash=0f98d43fe7f17b710df97075efdbb822d00e4773&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to palpitate

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gcGFscGl0YXRl&hash=873e7c8c75a834e68c5306f49834a668e6745bc0&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to panic

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gcGFuaWM&hash=b0354c029fc0260deed1a7d35b65dd11eccbcab5&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to prickle

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gcHJpY2tsZQ&hash=6dd68a5298513fb550eca458f1289d42eb476d0b&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to quail

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gcXVhaWw&hash=56c3d6da5897606a8055100bb01e291d7252ef27&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to recoil

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gcmVjb2ls&hash=d536efcf30e0eb0c8e2a212f994921b8fe40daaa&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to scream

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gc2NyZWFt&hash=4b4de10b962715ba227ab930687a34e055d9766c&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to shiver

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gc2hpdmVy&hash=f1d5335ed2bcbfa7e9f7d4e00ae2b0410a3aa7dc&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to shrink

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gc2hyaW5r&hash=41dc417487273e418d0cb740411002dff878d8e9&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to shudder

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gc2h1ZGRlcg&hash=bdb35464d33bf8c92bb6a883e77d5e6123fc75b9&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to spook

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gc3Bvb2s&hash=43872e350823bb4b8d346ef500426144853767d2&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to terrify

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gdGVycmlmeQ&hash=de95767bbbc987f3fdfec536b788c0fd19a0b986&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to petrify

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gcGV0cmlmeQ&hash=f5188ff65b7de5522eb71321468209ca5c53af6f&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to [give] {sb} the (creeps|willlies|jitters)

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gZ2l2ZSBzb21lYm9keSB0aGUgY3JlZXBz&hash=20e57605c0e368fd1d47a98c922b11cceb53910f&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

The origin of the idiom "make one's blood run cold" can be traced back to ancient beliefs and cultural associations surrounding blood and emotions. In many cultures, blood has long been associated with life, vitality, and the essence of a person. The notion of blood running cold suggests a sudden and dramatic change in someone's emotional state, as if their life force or vitality is being drained away. This expression is often used in discussions about suspenseful or frightening situations, such as thrilling movies, suspenseful novels, or real-life encounters with danger. literature, and everyday conversations to emphasize the chilling impact of an event, statement, or revelation.

What is the origin of the idiom "make one's blood run cold" and when to use it?

to [make] {one's} blood run cold

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gbWFrZSBvbmUncyBibG9vZCBydW4gY29sZA&hash=870af6ea68883877806b3e45b4aa884462d01161&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

Fear Reactions

English Words for "Fear Reactions"