put the fear of God in (one)
To cause one to greatly fear the potential consequences of something, such as misbehavior, typically by threats or a graphic description of such consequences. Our chemistry teacher has put the fear of God in us about fooling around near the chemicals and acids. Nearly getting hit by that car really put the fear of God in me—I'll never drive when I'm so tired ever again!
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
put the fear of God in(to) someone
Fig. to frighten someone severely; [for something] to shock someone into contrite behavior. A near miss like that really puts the fear of God into you. Yes, it puts the fear of God in you.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
put the fear of God into
Terrify someone, as in The school counselor put the fear of God into the girls when she talked about AIDS. This phrase alludes to a time when most people had a mingled feeling of dread and reverence toward the deity. [Late 1800s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
put the fear of God in (or into) someone
cause someone to be very frightened.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017