ENGLISH
REFERENCE

scare the life out of

idiom
Meaning

To scare something or someone to a great degree.


Examples
SIMPLE

That loud noise really scared the life out of me.

CONTEXTUAL

The sudden crash in the kitchen scared the life out of the cat, who ran under the sofa.

COMPLEX

The unexpected arrival of the police at midnight scared the life out of the residents, who had been sleeping soundly until that moment.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    beg for one's life

    To plead or make a desperate attempt to continue with what one has been doing.

  2. 02

    bread of life

    Anything which is regarded as a source or inspiration of spiritual nourishment.

  3. 03

    bring back to life

    To return someone to a state of consciousness or living after a state of unconsciousness, death or near-death.

  4. 04

    cat and dog life

    An unhappy married life marked by arguments and disagreements.

  5. 05

    change of life

    Menopause.

  6. 06

    charmed life

    A life in which one is always lucky and safe from danger.

  7. 07

    claim someone's life

    To lead to someone's death.

  8. 08

    come to life

    To become alive, to be given life; to be brought into existence.

Last updated April 17, 2026