Feelings - Fear & Terror

Dive into English idioms regarding fear and terror, like "on tenterhooks" and "shake like a leaf".

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to [frighten|scare|terrify] {sb} out of {one's} wits

to frighten somebody out of one's wits

[phrase]

to do something that makes someone really scared

Ex: The sudden scream scared me out of my wits.

cold sweat

[noun]

a state in which one sweats because of being really scared or anxious

Ex: He broke out in a cold sweat when he realized he had lost his passport.

to chill somebody to the bone

[phrase]

to make someone become extremely terrified

Ex: The scream from the empty hallway chilled me to the bone.

[chill|shiver] [run] (up|down) {one's} [spine]

chill run up one's spine

[sentence]

used when one does or says something that makes someone become extremely scared or excited

Ex: The sudden scream made a chill run down my spine.

to be the death of somebody

[phrase]

to cause extreme worry, distress, or discomfort for others

Ex: That boy will be the death of me with all his reckless stunts.

with bated breath

[phrase]

in a state of great anticipation, often holding one's breath

Ex: We waited with bated breath for the winner to be announced.

to shake like a leaf

[phrase]

(of a person) to involuntarily shake one's body due to feeling nervous, afraid, or cold

Ex: She was trembling like a leaf before her big presentation.

to [scare] the (living|) crap out of {sb}

to scare the (living) crap out of somebody

[phrase]

to extremely frighten someone

Ex: That horror movie scared the living crap out of me.

to scare somebody witless

[phrase]

to do or say something that makes someone become extremely frightened or worried

Ex: The haunted house scared him witless, and he ran out screaming.

to scare somebody straight

[phrase]

to frighten or shock someone in order to improve or correct their behavior

Ex: The judge hoped a night in jail would scare him straight.

to scare somebody shitless

[phrase]

to do something that makes someone extremely scared

Ex: That horror movie scared me shitless.

to jump out of one's skin

[phrase]

to become extremely scared or surprised, causing a strong physical reaction

Ex: I nearly jumped out of my skin when the alarm went off.

to make one's hair stand on end

[phrase]

to frighten or shock someone very suddenly or severely

Ex: The scream in the dark made my hair stand on end.

to [shake|quake|tremble] in {one's} (boots|shoes)

to shake in one's boots

[phrase]

to shake involuntarily as a response to extreme fear

Ex: He was shaking in his boots before the police interview.

to [scare|freighten] the (living|) daylights out of {sb}

to scare the (living) daylights out of somebody

[phrase]

to shock or frighten someone very suddenly or severely

Ex: The sudden scream scared the daylights out of me.

on tenterhooks

[phrase]

in a state of great anxiety, suspense, or excitement while waiting for something

Ex: We were on tenterhooks waiting for the exam results.

like a scalded cat

[phrase]

in a very restless and agitated state, often due to being shocked or frightened

Ex: When the alarm went off, he ran through the office like a scalded cat.

to [scare] the (living|) shit out of {sb}

to scare the (living) shit out of somebody

[phrase]

to intensely frighten or shock someone

Ex: That horror movie scared the living shit out of me.

one's stomach drops (like a stone)

[sentence]

used to say that someone suddenly feels fear, shock, or disappointment

Ex: My stomach dropped when I saw the broken window.

one's stomach ties itself in knots

[sentence]

used to say that someone feels extremely nervous or anxious

Ex: My stomach tied itself in knots before the exam.

to shake the feeling

[phrase]

to get rid of a persistent feeling or thought

Ex: She tried to stay calm, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.

knot in one's stomach

[phrase]

a tight, uncomfortable feeling in the stomach caused by nervousness, fear, worry, or stress

Ex: She had a knot in her stomach before the debate.

tied up in knots

[phrase]

extremely nervous, worried, or tense

Ex: She was tied up in knots before the interview.

sinking feeling

[noun]

a sudden feeling of worry, fear, or disappointment

Ex: She had a sinking feeling when she saw the empty parking space.

one's heart leaps into one's throat

[sentence]

used to say that someone suddenly feels intense fear, shock, or excitement

Ex: My heart leaped into my throat when the alarm sounded.

rooted to the spot

[phrase]

unable to move or act due to being extremely shocked, surprised, or frightened

Ex: She was rooted to the spot when she saw the snake in her garden.

to make one's blood run cold

[phrase]

to cause a strong feeling of fear in someone

Ex: The sound of footsteps behind me in the dark made my blood run cold.

to [make] {one'} ‌(skin|flesh) (crawl|creep)

to make one' ‌ skin crawl

[phrase]

to experience a feeling of discomfort or disgust that causes a tingling feeling

Ex: The way he stared at me made my skin crawl.

for dear life

[phrase]

with great effort to avoid injury or save one's life

Ex: She clung to the branch for dear life until help arrived.

Feelings
Happiness	Excitement	Sadness or Discontent	Unhappiness & Disappointment
Anger	Rage	Losing One's Temper	Annoyance
Irritation	Fear & Terror	Anticipation	Shame & Embarrassment

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