be frightened out of your wits

be frightened out of (one's) wits

To be shocked or scared very suddenly and severely. Hyperbolically alludes to frightening one so severely as to cause them to lose their mind. I was frightened out of my wits when you snuck up on me like that! We were frightened out of our wits when the fire alarm went off at 4 AM and woke us out of a sound slumber. A: "Janet's still frightened out of her wits, huh?" B: "Can you blame her? That was a really bad car accident—she's lucky to be alive."

See also: frighten, of, out, wit

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

be frightened (or scared) out of your wits

be extremely frightened.

See also: frighten, of, out, wit

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017