shake in one's shoes/boots, to

shake in (one's) boots

To tremble with fear. Often used sarcastically. My brother is so strong and scary-looking that people shake in their boots when he threatens them. Ooh, I'm really scared of you! I'm shaking in my boots, you frighten me so!

See also: boot, shake

shake in (one's) shoes

To be very nervous or afraid, often visibly so. That poor kid is shaking in his shoes up there on stage. I may seem confident when I'm leading a training seminar, but I'm really shaking in my shoes most of the time.

See also: shake, shoe

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

shake in one's boots

 and quake in one's boots

Fig. to be afraid; to shake from fear. I was shaking in my boots because I had to go see the manager for being late. Stop quaking in your boots, Bob. I'm not going to fire you.

See also: boot, shake

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

shake in one's shoes/boots, to

To be in a state of terror or extreme nervousness. This vivid image of trembling with fear has been around since about 1800. William Cobbett is recorded as having said it (Political Register, 1818): “This is quite enough to make Corruption and all her tribe shake in their shoes.” See also scared silly.

See also: shake, shoe, to

The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer