afraid of your own shadow

afraid of (one's) own shadow

Easily scared; jumpy; timid. Everyone was surprised that Janice led the meeting with confidence, as she normally seems afraid of her own shadow. Please don't take my sister to a haunted house on Halloween—she's afraid of her own shadow. Please try not to make any sudden moves around my cat—the poor thing is afraid of her own shadow.

See also: afraid, of, own, shadow

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

afraid of your own shadow

If someone is afraid of their own shadow, they are very nervous and shy. She's afraid of everything these days — afraid of her own shadow. Note: Adjectives such as scared or frightened can be used instead of afraid. He used to be scared of his own shadow as a little boy.

See also: afraid, of, own, shadow

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

afraid of (or frightened of) your own shadow

unreasonably timid or nervous.

See also: afraid, of, own, shadow

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017