fright
burn not your house to fright the mouse away
proverb Do not overreact to a minor problem by taking drastic measures. It's just a minor leak—we don't need to tear open the kitchen to fix it. Burn not your house to fright the mouse away.
See also: away, burn, fright, house, mouse, not
get the fright of (one's) life
To experience an extreme and sudden sensation of shock, surprise, or fear. I got the fright of my life when I noticed someone standing right behind me. Mary got the fright of her life as the car ahead of her swerved across traffic.
See also: fright, get, life, of
give (someone) the fright of (someone's) life
To cause someone an extreme and sudden sensation of shock, surprise, or fear. I didn't see you standing there! You gave me the fright of my life! Seeing the car swerve right in front of her gave Mary the fright of her life.
See also: fright, give, life, of
jump for (something)
1. To move involuntarily because of some negative stimulus. Mary jumped for fright when Tom put his hand on her shoulder. The poor child jumped for pain when I pulled the bandage off.
2. To be filled with and energized by some positive emotion. The kids were jumping for excitement when we told them we were going to Disneyland. What's wrong? I thought you'd jump for joy when I told you the news.
See also: jump
jump from (something)
1. To hop or leap off of something (down to some lower level or position). The kids jumped from the platform into the foam ball pit.
2. To move involuntarily because of some negative stimulus. Mary jumped from fright when Tom put his hand on her shoulder. The poor child jumped from pain when I pulled the bandage off.
3. To be filled with and energized by some positive emotion. The kids were jumping from excitement when we told them we were going to Disneyland. What's wrong? I thought you'd jump from joy when I told you the news.
See also: jump
jump with (something)
1. To move involuntarily because of some negative stimulus. Mary jumped with alarm when Tom put his hand on her shoulder. The poor child jumped with pain when I pulled the bandage off.
2. To be filled with and made very active by a large number or amount of something. The club was jumping with an incredible blend of jazz and hip-hop. Their party was jumping with people by the end of the night.
3. To be filled with and energized by some positive emotion. The kids were jumping with excitement when we told them we were going to Disneyland. What's wrong? I thought you'd jump with joy when I told you the news.
See also: jump
look a fright
To be very disheveled, ugly, or untidy in appearance. I'd invite you in for a cup of tea, but the house looks a fright at the moment. I'm so embarrassed—I must have looked a fright when I opened the door this morning!
See also: fright, look
receive the fright of (one's) life
To experience an extreme and sudden sensation of shock, surprise, or fear. I received the fright of my life when I noticed someone standing right behind me. Mary received the fright of her life as the car ahead of her swerved across traffic.
See also: fright, life, of, receive
stage fright
An intense fear or anxiety from or about standing in front of a large group of people to give a performance or speech. I've always wanted to be a musician, but my stage fright always kept me from pursuing it seriously. They want me to give a speech after I accept the award. I just hope I don't get stage fright once I'm up there!
See also: fright, stage
take fright
To become very frightened or startled (by something). Often followed by "at (something)." Investors began pulling their funds from the company, having taken fright at the allegations against its CEO. As the thunder cracked overhead, the horse took fright and threw its rider to the ground.
See also: fright, take
the fright of (one's) life
An extreme and sudden sensation of shock, surprise, or fear. Usually used after the verbs "get" or "give." Seeing the car swerve right in front of her gave Mary the fright of her life. I got the fright of my life when I noticed someone standing right behind me.
See also: fright, life, of
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
Burn not your house to fright the mouse away.
Prov. Do not do something drastic when it is not necessary. Ellen: I don't like the shape of my nose; I think I'll have surgery to make it look better. Jane: But you can make your nose look better just by using different makeup. Don't burn your house to fright the mouse away. When someone pointed out a small flaw in Bob's latest painting, Bob wanted to tear the whole painting to shreds. "Now, now, Bob," his friends said, "burn not your house to fright the mouse away."
See also: away, burn, fright, house, mouse, not
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
stage fright
Acute nervousness when performing or speaking before an audience, as in When John first had to present his findings to the board of directors, stage fright made him stutter . [Second half of 1800s]
See also: fright, stage
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
look a fright
have a dishevelled or grotesque appearance. informalSee also: fright, look
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
the ˌfright of your ˈlife
an experience that makes you feel great fear: I got the fright of my life when I saw the gun pointing at me. He gave me the fright of my life when I saw him hanging out of the window.See also: fright, life, of
look a ˈfright
(old-fashioned, British English) look ugly or ridiculous: Oh no, just look at what the hairdresser’s done to my hair! I look a fright!See also: fright, look
take ˈfright (at something)
(written) be frightened by something: The horse took fright and galloped off as the car passed.See also: fright, take
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- burn not your house to fright the mouse away
- touch up
- booboo
- boo-boo
- make (something) out of nothing
- make out of nothing
- a little fire is quickly trodden out
- crime
- crime does not pay
- crime doesn't pay