Frighten/scare somebody to death

phrase

To frighten or upset somebody very much.

The sight of the snake almost scared him to death.
Visual representation of "frighten/scare somebody to death" - To frighten or upset somebody very much

Often appears as...

  • almost scared to death
  • simply scared to death

Usage tips

Idiomatic

phrase

To cause someone to experience extreme fear.

The sudden loud noise scared them to death.
Visual representation of "frighten/scare somebody to death" - To cause someone to experience extreme fear

Often appears as...

  • absolutely scared to death
  • scared to death by something

Usage tips

Colloquial

phrase

To frighten or upset somebody very much.

The sight of the snake almost scared him to death.
Visual representation of "frighten/scare somebody to death" - To frighten or upset somebody very much

Often appears as...

  • almost scared to death
  • simply scared to death

Usage tips

Idiomatic

phrase

To cause someone to experience extreme fear.

The sudden loud noise scared them to death.
Visual representation of "frighten/scare somebody to death" - To cause someone to experience extreme fear

Often appears as...

  • absolutely scared to death
  • scared to death by something

Usage tips

Colloquial

Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "frighten/scare somebody to death"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Exaggeration

Used to describe an intense emotion or reaction, not a literal death.

Illustration for Exaggeration
The jump scare in the movie frightened me to death.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Informal Context

Best used in casual conversations, can be too informal for official or serious contexts.

Illustration for Informal Context
When the lights went out, it scared us to death.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Emotional Impact

Implies a sudden, strong emotional shock or fright, not a lingering fear.

Illustration for Emotional Impact
Hearing the gunshot, I was almost scared to death.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Exaggeration

Used to describe an intense emotion or reaction, not a literal death.

Illustration for Exaggeration
The jump scare in the movie frightened me to death.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Informal Context

Best used in casual conversations, can be too informal for official or serious contexts.

Illustration for Informal Context
When the lights went out, it scared us to death.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Emotional Impact

Implies a sudden, strong emotional shock or fright, not a lingering fear.

Illustration for Emotional Impact
Hearing the gunshot, I was almost scared to death.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Exaggeration

Used to describe an intense emotion or reaction, not a literal death.

Illustration for Exaggeration
The jump scare in the movie frightened me to death.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Informal Context

Best used in casual conversations, can be too informal for official or serious contexts.

Illustration for Informal Context
When the lights went out, it scared us to death.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Emotional Impact

Implies a sudden, strong emotional shock or fright, not a lingering fear.

Illustration for Emotional Impact
Hearing the gunshot, I was almost scared to death.
Visual representation of the word "Frighten/scare somebody to death"

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