Be frightened/scared/terrified out of your wits

usgb
phrase

To be extremely frightened or scared.

After watching the horror movie, she was frightened out of her wits.
Visual representation of "be frightened/scared/terrified out of your wits" - To be extremely frightened or scared

Often appears as...

  • almost frightened out of your wits
  • quite frightened out of your wits

Usage tips

Idiomatic

Definition 1 of 1
Visual representation of "be frightened/scared/terrified out of your wits"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Emotional Intensity

The phrase expresses an extremely high level of fear, beyond just being scared.

Illustration for Emotional Intensity
Hearing the strange noises at night, he was terrified out of his wits.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Hyperbolic Expression

This phrase is usually an exaggeration, not to be taken literally but to stress the fear felt.

Illustration for Hyperbolic Expression
When the thunderstorm hit, we were frightened out of our wits.
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Informal Usage

Mostly used in casual conversation or creative writing, not in formal settings.

Illustration for Informal Usage
She texted me that she was scared out of her wits during the roller coaster ride.
Visual representation of the word "Be frightened/scared/terrified out of your wits"

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