scare the bejesus out of someone

scare the bejesus out of (one)

To shock or frighten one very suddenly or severely. ("Bejesus," a mild euphemistic oath, is here used as an intensifier.) Don't sneak up on me like that—you scared the bejesus out of me! The sound of the fire alarm scared the bejesus out of us this morning.

See also: bejesus, of, out, scare

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

scare the bejesus out of someone

frighten someone very much.

2001 GQ This place is going to scare the bejesus out of the fuddy-duddy Sloaney-Pony set.

Bejesus is an alteration of the exclamation by Jesus! It is often found in its Anglo-Irish form bejasus or bejabers .

See also: bejesus, of, out, scare, someone

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