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REFERENCE

rub the fear of God into

idiom
Meaning

Alternative form of put the fear of God into.


Examples
SIMPLE

The strict teacher rubs the fear of God into his students.

CONTEXTUAL

The captain's harsh warning before the storm really rubbed the fear of God into the new crew members.

COMPLEX

The sudden, thunderous collapse of the market rubbed the fear of God into investors who had previously believed their wealth was entirely secure.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    bow down before the porcelain god

    Synonym of worship the porcelain god (“to vomit into a toilet bowl”).

  2. 02

    call someone everything but a child of God

    To call someone many abusive names.

  3. 03

    God forbid

    indicating that the occurrence of something is very undesirable

  4. 04

    God forfend

    Don't let it be.

  5. 05

    God is in the detail

    Expresses the idea that whatever one does should be done thoroughly; i.e. details are important.

  6. 06

    god that failed

    A notable let-down or flop; a concept, product, or person that has failed to live up to very high expectations.

  7. 07

    good God

    Expression of surprise, outrage, or horror.

  8. 08

    hand to God

    Used when admitting something which might not be believed.

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