English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Scared to death
Meaning
The idiom "scared to death" is a figurative expression that means being extremely frightened or terrified. It's commonly used when someone is so scared that it appears as if their fear could lead to death. The phrase may also imply that the person is so scared that they would do anything to avoid the situation.
Usage
- I was absolutely terrified of heights before I took the plunge and went bungee jumping.
- After hearing the loud noises coming from the basement, I was scared to death to go down there alone.
- When I realized that I had locked myself out of my car keys, I was scared to death that I would have to call a locksmith.
- The thought of public speaking makes me so nervous that I'm scared to death every time I have to give a presentation.
- I was scared to death when I saw the spider crawling towards me on the ceiling.
Roots and History
The phrase "scared to death" dates back to the 18th century, where it was first used in print in 1797. It has since become a common expression used to describe extreme fear or terror. Over time, the idiom has been adapted to convey different levels of fear, from mild apprehension to a severe state of panic.
Synonyms in English
- Terrified
- Scared out of my wits
- Panicking
- Frightened beyond belief
- Paralyzed with fear
Synonyms in other languages
- French: "Terrifié" - This expression means being extremely scared or frightened.
- Spanish: "Pánico" - This word means a state of extreme fear or panic.
- German: "Schrecklich" - This adjective means terrifying or dreadful.
- Italian: "Percorso con il cuore in bocca" - This phrase means going through a journey with your heart in your mouth, which is a common expression to describe being extremely scared.
- Japanese: "心憑" - This term translates to "heart-captured," which means being completely overwhelmed by fear or fearfulness.