crippling fear

crippling fear

A debilitating, paralyzing fear that keeps one from being able to do or interact with some particular thing. My mother used to have a crippling fear of driving. It was so bad that she didn't drive for nearly 25 years. I have a crippling fear of bugs and scream for my parents any time I see one in the house. Public speaking is a crippling fear for a lot of people.
See also: cripple, fear
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
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