ENGLISH
REFERENCE

quake in one's boots

idiom
Meaning

To be very frightened, scared, or nervous.


Examples
SIMPLE

The small dog made the cat quake in its boots.

CONTEXTUAL

When the boss called me into his office for an unexpected meeting, I was quaking in my boots.

COMPLEX

Facing the stern judge after his serious mistake, the young lawyer stood before the bench and began to quake in his boots.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    abound in one's own sense

    To follow one’s own inclinations and opinions.

  2. 02

    ace up one's sleeve

    A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.

  3. 03

    act one's age

    To behave in a manner appropriate to one's age.

  4. 04

    act one's age, not one's shoe size

    Synonym of act one's age (“to behave in a mature manner; to avoid being childish”).

  5. 05

    afraid of one's own shadow

    Exceptionally timid.

  6. 06

    air one's dirty laundry in public

    To reveal one's sordid secrets to the public.

  7. 07

    air one's dirty linen in public

    Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.

  8. 08

    albatross around one's neck

    A characteristic, possession, associate, or previous deed that hinders one's ability to succeed.

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