B1idiominformalemotionsIELTS-friendly
scared to death
USUK
extremely frightened
Followed by 'of' + noun or 'that' + clause. Also 'frightened to death'. Nobody actually dies.
In context
I was scared to death when the plane started shaking.
My little sister is scared to death of dogs, even small ones.
More idioms about emotions
- a bitter pill to swallowan unpleasant fact or situation that is hard to accept
- a bundle of nervesvery nervous and worried
- a chip on your shouldera lasting anger because you feel you were treated unfairly in the past
- a knot in your stomacha tight, sick feeling in your body caused by worry or fear
- a lump in your throata tight feeling in your throat because you are so moved that you might cry