Scared idioms

By: Prof. Dr. Fazal Rehman Shamil | Last updated: February 3, 2024

diomMeaningExample Sentence
Bite one’s nailsExhibit nervousness or anxiety by biting nails.She always bites her nails when she’s feeling scared or stressed.
Hairs standing on endFeeling extremely frightened or shocked.The sudden ghostly figure left her with her hairs standing on end.
Have one’s heart in one’s mouthBe extremely anxious or fearful.When he saw his car sliding on the icy road, his heart was in his mouth.
Heart in one’s throatHaving one’s heart rate increase due to fear orAs the roller coaster plummeted, his heart was in his throat.
In a cold sweatBeing anxious or frightened to the point ofThe thought of the upcoming exam had him in a cold sweat all night.
Jump out of one’s skinStartle severely or be extremely surprised.The loud crash made him jump out of his skin.
Scared out of one’s witsExtremely frightened.The sudden loud noise scared her out of her wits.
Scaredy-catSomeone who is easily scared or timid.He’s such a scaredy-cat; he won’t even go near a spider.
Shake like a leafTremble or shake due to fear or nervousness.He was shaking like a leaf before his first public speaking event.
White as a sheetExtremely pale due to fear or shock.After the horror movie, she was as white as a sheet.
breaking out in a sweat.
Scared idioms
Scared idioms