frighten

be frightened/scared to death

frighten/scare someone to death - to make someone feel very frightened. I'm scared to death she's going to tell him. She's frightened to death of dogs. (often + of)

See also: death, scare

frighten/scare someone out of their wits

to make someone very frightened. Don't shout like that - you scared me out of my wits!

See also: scare, wit

frighten/scare the (living) daylights out of someone

to frighten someone very much. Don't come up behind me like that. You scared the living daylights out of me!

See also: daylight, scare

frighten/scare the hell out of someone (informal)

to make someone feel very frightened. He drives like a madman - frightens the hell out of me.

See also: hell, scare

frighten/scare the life out of someone

to make someone feel very frightened. She frightened the life out of me, shouting like that.

See also: life, scare

frighten/scare someone to death

to make someone feel very frightened. David suddenly appeared in the doorway and scared me to death.

See also: death, scare

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frighten someone out of their wits

to cause extreme fear in someone. Don't sneak up behind me like that – you frightened me out of my wits!

See also: wit