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scared stiff
scared stiff
Fig. badly frightened. We were scared stiff by the robber. I was scared stiff when the dog growled at me.
scared stiff
extremely frightened Jill awoke from a dream that left her afraid - scared stiff, in fact.
Etymology: from the idea that you are stiff (unable to bend or change your position) because you are too frightened to move
scared stiff
mod. frightened; unable to move from fear. The poor little kid stood there—scared stiff. I was scared stiff for hours after the accident.