scared stiff



scared stiff

Fig. badly frightened. We were scared stiff by the robber. I was scared stiff when the dog growled at me.
See also: scare, stiff

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
See also: scare, stiff

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.
See also: scare, stiff

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Samuhel-Biblical Latin
CarlyKAHR-leeEnglish
Aca-Serbian, Macedonian
LexLEKS (English)English, Dutch
HartwigHAHRT-vig (German)German, Ancient Germanic
AlyseAL-isEnglish (Modern)