be scared witless

be scared witless

To be very severely frightened or worried. I was scared witless when I thought I heard footsteps on the staircase when no one else was home. We were scared witless when we woke up to the sound of the howler monkeys. We had no idea what it was coming from. I'm scared witless that the tests are going to come back positive.
See also: scare, witless

be scared/bored ˈwitless

(informal) be extremely frightened or bored: Despite his reputation as a tough guy, he admits that he was ‘scared witless’ when he first arrived in New York.
See also: bore, scare, witless
References in periodicals archive ?
Head to Ness where you'll encounter man eating plant horrors, talking trees and strange characters lurking in the garden - you will be scared witless or laugh out loud
48 YOUR NEXT HOURS MUSIC, THEATRE, COMEDY AND MORE ... FOUR PAGES OF LISTINGS START HERE
But when they take to the streets of Birmingham in their new outfits, will the public be scared witless or just a bit bemused?
DYDD LLUN
JOIN the spooktacular fun at Alton Towers Resort's annual Scarefest from October 16-31 and be scared witless.
Win Scarefest family tickets
Like all kids, I loved to be scared witless and his ghost stories used to terrify me.
dorinda mccann
She's supposed to be scared witless - but then Claire is a challenge maestro.
STAR CHALLENGE: Claire McGlinn; Gets in a pit; with a python; As wife of The Street's Dr Ramsden, Charlie's already had to face one slimy snake in the grass. But will the ex-Corrie actress be repulsed by a real-life reptile?
Expect to see man-eating plant horrors, talking trees and strange characters lurking in the garden - you will be scared witless or laugh out loud.
48 YOUR NEXT hours MUSIC, THEATRE, COMEDY AND MORE ... FOUR PAGES OF LISTINGS START HERE
The Abertoir Horror Festival next week is offering fright fans the chance to be scared witless by 25 feature films, including seven UK premieres, cult screenings and classics - plus a host of special guests, talks, live music, theatre and exhibitions.
Abertoir film festival promises feast of gore
So, expect to have bitten your nails to the quick and be scared witless by the time the end credits roll.
Vacancy (Five, 11.15pm)
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