9 Idioms on Fear To Avoid Being a Scary Cat

Idioms on fear are often used to express a dangerous situation that makes one afraid. To help people express their feelings, they often use idioms like ‘Butterflies in the stomach’ and ‘Scared out of my wits’ in their day-to-day conversations. These idioms are based on the situations that arise in people’s lives where they get too scared of something. Depending on the situation, these groups of words can be used for situations of darkness, failure and so on. To help you deal with this situation, we have compiled this blog, where we will discuss some idioms on fear. 

Must Read: Idioms in English

Butterflies in the Stomach

This idiom is used to describe the feeling of nervousness or excitement that often arises in stressful or anxious situations. When overwhelmed by such emotions, people experience a fluttering sensation due to hormonal changes in the body.

Example: Thinking about the annual day speech he had butterflies in his stomach.

Shake Like a Leaf

This idiom implies the trembling feeling that one experiences, usually due to fear, nervousness, or extreme cold. This idiom paints the picture of someone shaking so violently that the resembles that of a leaf fluttering in the wind. 

Example: Before coming to the stage for the performance she was shaking like a leaf.

Also Read: Top 10 Idioms for Reading You Should Know!

Scared Out of My Wits

This idiom refers to the situation in which a person becomes very frightened due to the intense feeling that is generated within. This intense feeling resembles a person who would lost his mind in such a situation.

Example: The strange noise coming from the jungle scared me out of my wits.

Like a Deer in Headlights

This idiom implies the feeling when someone becomes confused and is unable to work properly. When a person gets frightened during a situation through which they cannot focus on other things.

Example: After hearing the question from the teacher he was like a deer in headlights.

Also Read: Top 10 Idioms for Nervous That You Should Know!

Heart in Your Mouth

The idiom is used when you become too scared by watching anything dangerous, mysterious or horrific. Bringing the heart into your mouth is a metaphorical way of suggesting that you are utterly scared after what you have witnessed. Additionally, the fear or scary situation makes your heartbeat gets faster.

Example: After watching the scary scene from the horror movie his heart came into his mouth.

Break Out in a Cold Sweat

The situation that makes you feel extremely frightened or worried. In this situation, one starts to sweat due to anxiety, physical illness or intense fear. This is another idiom to describe intense fear or nervousness.

Example: The memory of the horrific incident still makes him break out in a cold sweat.

Also Read: Top 7 Idioms for Stress You Should Know!

On the Edge of One’s Seat

To become excited or anxious about something that is going to happen next. It is known something good is going to happen next and you are thrilled knowing it. The idiom means to give all your attention to something as you already know what is going to take place.

Example: The excitement of watching the thrilling game of football had him on the edge of his seat.

Quaking in My Shoes

This idiom suggests that you are very afraid or nervous about something. It sarcastically means to tremble with fear. Moreover, it is the feeling that consists of a high level of nervousness that is created about something.

Example: The big danger was growling at me in such a way that I had to quake in my shoes.

Also Read: 11+ Scary Halloween Idioms and Phrases to Celebrate

Be in Fear of Your Life

The fear that occurs when there are chances that you can lose your life. It is said when you are in extreme danger. When someone becomes anxious or afraid by getting the news that they can die after some time.

Example: Mary sat inside, in fear for her life, seeing the killer.

Afraid of My Own Shadow

The idiom means to get afraid of anything due to the reason that is unnecessary. A person who gets feared easily by the most insignificant things. Additionally, the idiom can be used to describe a person who gets easily startled.

Example: The weak leader seems to be afraid of his own shadow during the conference.

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