English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Chill to the marrow
Meaning
The idiom "chill to the marrow" means to feel extremely cold, or to be very frightened or scared. It is a figurative expression that implies a deep sense of fear or dread that goes beyond just the surface level.
Usage
- After hearing the news about her daughter's accident, Sarah felt like she had been hit by a truck and was chill to the marrow.
- The thought of giving a presentation in front of a large audience made Michael feel like he was standing on the edge of a precipice and was chill to the bone.
- When the power went out during a thunderstorm, the entire neighborhood was left in darkness and some people started to feel chill to the marrow with the thought of being trapped in the dark for hours.
- The sudden disappearance of her best friend caused Emma to feel like she had lost a piece of herself and was chill to the marrow.
- The sight of the mangled body on the operating table made John vomit and he felt chill to the bone at the thought of what his son might have gone through during the surgery.
Roots and History
The idiom "chill to the marrow" dates back to the 14th century and is believed to have originated from the idea that a person's blood can run cold all the way to their bones, causing them to feel extremely cold or frightened. The phrase "to the marrow" means to go to the very core or essence of something, which in this case refers to the deep sense of fear or dread that is felt. Over time, the idiom has evolved to include a more general sense of being scared or frightened, rather than just feeling extremely cold.
Synonyms in English
- Chilled to the bone
- Frozen
- Nervous
- Jittery
- Edgy
Synonyms in other languages
- In French: "Froide comme une nuit d'hiver" which means "as cold as a winter night"
- In German: "Kalt wie eine Kühlbank" which means "as cold as a refrigerator"
- In Spanish: "Frío como nieve" which means "frozen like snow"
- In Italian: "Freddo come una ghiacciaio" which means "cold like an ice block"