Fear & Terror: English Vocabulary List

to do something that makes someone really scared

"The noise scared me badly."

"The sudden explosion in the building frightened everyone out of their wits, and people started running in all directions."

a state in which one sweats because of being really scared or anxious

"He woke up in a cold sweat."

"He woke up in a cold sweat from the nightmare and could not fall back asleep."

to make someone become extremely terrified

"The story chilled me to the bone."

"The eerie silence of the abandoned house chilled the explorers to the bone as they ventured inside."

used when one does or says something that makes someone become extremely scared or excited

"A chill ran down my spine."

"The eerie sound of footsteps in the empty hallway sent a chill down her spine, and she couldn't move an inch."

to cause extreme worry, distress, or discomfort for others

"This will be the death of me."

"Her constant worrying about minor issues will undoubtedly be the death of her."

in a state of great anticipation, often holding one's breath

"We waited with bated breath."

"The children waited with bated breath to see what was inside the beautifully wrapped birthday present."

(of a person) to involuntarily shake one's body due to feeling nervous, afraid, or cold

"He was shaking like a leaf."

"The scared witness trembled like a leaf when she had to testify against the dangerous criminal."

to extremely frighten someone

"That movie scared me badly."

"The horror movie we watched last night scared the living crap out of me, and I couldn't sleep until morning."

to do or say something that makes someone become extremely frightened or worried

"The dog scared her witless."

"The unexpected thunder and lightning storm scared the children witless, so they all ran crying into their parents' bedroom."

to frighten or shock someone in order to improve or correct their behavior

"The talk scared him straight."

"The documentary about prison life scared the teenagers straight and they stopped breaking the law."

to do something that makes someone extremely scared

"The ghost story scared me shitless."

"The near miss car accident scared me shitless and I had to pull over to calm down."

to become extremely scared or surprised, causing a strong physical reaction

"The noise made me jump."

"When my best friend suddenly appeared behind me in the dark, I almost jumped out of my skin and screamed loudly."

to frighten or shock someone very suddenly or severely

"It made my hair stand."

"The terrifying ghost story that the old man told around the campfire made everyone's hair stand on end that night."

to shake involuntarily as a response to extreme fear

"The big dog made the mailman shake in his boots."

"The new recruit was trembling in his boots when he met the tough sergeant for the first time."

to shock or frighten someone very suddenly or severely

"The spider scared me badly."

"A stranger suddenly jumped out from behind the door and scared the living daylights out of her, leaving her completely frozen in fear."

in a state of great anxiety, suspense, or excitement while waiting for something

"I am on tenterhooks waiting for news."

"The audience was on tenterhooks waiting to see who would win the singing competition final."

in a very restless and agitated state, often due to being shocked or frightened

"She ran like a scalded cat."

"When the unexpected loud noise erupted, the children scattered in every direction like scalded cats."

to intensely frighten or shock someone

"You really scared the shit out of me!"

"The horror movie scared the living shit out of everyone in the theater last night."

unable to move or act due to being extremely shocked, surprised, or frightened

"I was rooted to the spot."

"The terrified child was rooted to the spot when she saw the big dog approaching her."

to cause a strong feeling of fear in someone

"That story made my blood run cold."

"The sound of footsteps in the dark alley made my blood run cold instantly."

to experience a feeling of discomfort or disgust that causes a tingling feeling

"His creepy laugh made my skin crawl."

"The way he stared at me made my skin crawl and I wanted to leave the room."

with great effort to avoid injury or save one's life

"He held on to the rope for dear life."

"The drowning man clung to the rope for dear life until the rescue team finally arrived."