terror

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a holy terror

A very troublesome, aggressive, or aggravating person; a person who is exasperatingly difficult in manner or behavior. I know that I was a holy terror when I was young, so I guess it's fitting that my own kids give me so much trouble.

reign of terror

A period of oppression by a hostile ruler. Sometimes used hyperbolically. The people could only tolerate the dictator's reign of terror for so long before they started a revolution. Is mom finished with her reign of terror, or do we have to keep cleaning the house every weekend?

blanch with (an emotion)

To become visibly pale as a result of feeling a particular emotion. All of my friends ran into the creepy haunted house, but I blanched with fear when I saw it. Stella blanched with disgust at the plate of cooked ants that had been set before her.

king of terrors

1. Death as an idea or personification. In those days, the king of terrors was ever present in families' lives, such that they were forever prepared to confront the death of a loved one at almost any given moment.

2. That which is a notable cause of death. Her blood ran cold when the doctor said it could be that king of terrors, cancer.

strike fear into (one)

To frighten, terrify, or horrify someone. While rather impractical and ineffective in combat, the use of flamethrowers in World War II was very effective at striking fear into civilians and enemy soldiers alike. The recent epidemic has struck fear into countries around the world.

strike terror into (one)

To frighten, terrify, or horrify someone. While rather impractical and ineffective in combat, the use of flamethrowers in World War II was very effective at striking terror into civilians and enemy soldiers alike. The recent epidemic has struck terror into countries around the world.

hold terror for someone

[for something] to be frightening to a person. The thought of flying to Rio by myself held great terror for me. Nothing holds terror for me. I am a daredevil.

holy terror

An exasperating individual, as in He was only five, but he was a holy terror, running wild through the house and throwing whatever he could lay his hands on . The adjective holy here is an intensifier. [Late 1800s]

a reign of terror

COMMON A reign of terror is a period during which there is a lot of violence and killing, especially by people who are in positions of power. The dictator's 17-year reign of terror had ended and the people took to the streets to celebrate their freedom. His victims during a four-month reign of terror included a schoolgirl and a student. Note: The original Reign of Terror was during the French Revolution between April 1793 and July 1794, when many thousands were put to death by the government.

king of terrors

death personified.

strike ˌfear, ˌterror, etc. into somebody/somebody’s ˈheart

(formal) make somebody feel fear, terror, etc: His crimes struck horror into the nation’s heart.

holy terror

n. a devilish person; a badly behaving child. Why is the boss such a holy terror today?