frightened to death

Very severely scared or worried. Used hyperbolically. I was frightened to death when I thought I heard footsteps on the staircase when no one else was home. We were frightened to death when we woke up to the sound of the howler monkeys. We had no idea what it was coming from. I'm frightened to death that the tests are going to come back positive.

frightened to death

and scared to death

1. Lit. frightened to the point of dying. This poor animal has been frightened to death by the attacking dogs.

2. Fig. frightened or anxious. I don't want to go to the dentist today. I'm frightened to death. I'm frightened to death of spiders.

See also: death, frighten

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

See also:

be frightened to death
be frightened out of (one's) wits
be frightened out of your wits
frighten (one) out of (one's) mind
scare (one) silly
frighten/scare somebody out of their wits
frighten (one) out of (one's) wits
frighten one out of wits
die from curiosity

References in classic literature

At any rate, Captain Nichols was frightened to death of her.

Moon and Sixpence

I was nearly frightened to death. Dan says he wouldn't of been scared and Felicity says she would of known what it was but it's easy to talk.

The Golden Road

Your father will know, and then - oh, I shall be frightened to death!"

A Millionaire of Yesterday

He could not find Deesa, but he disturbed all the other elephants in the lines, and nearly frightened to death some gypsies in the woods.

From Mine Own People

I couldn't help it, Dinah; it was the baby's crying made me go--and yet I was frightened to death. I thought that man in the smock-frock 'ud see me and know I put the baby there.

Adam Bede

They had managed to obtain places in the King's service, and when they recognised Ferko with his eyes and legs sound and well they were frightened to death, for they feared he would tell the King of their conduct, and that they would be hung.

Yellow Fairy Book

Some day you will see your own shadow, little Manu, and then you will be frightened to death."

Son Of Tarzan

The moment, however, that she saw her father, she collected all her spirits, and, catching him hold by the hand, she cryed passionately, "O my dear sir, I am almost frightened to death! I hope to heaven no harm hath happened to you." "No, no," cries the squire, "no great harm.

The History of Tom Jones a Foundling

"Yes, out it came, and away ran Polly, frightened to death, and scrambled up on Aunt's chair, calling out, `Catch her!

Little Women

At this momentous crisis, Miss Cheggs proved herself a vigourous and useful ally, for not confining herself to expressing by scornful smiles a contempt for Mr Swiveller's accomplishments, she took every opportunity of whispering into Miss Sophy's ear expressions of condolence and sympathy on her being worried by such a ridiculous creature, declaring that she was frightened to death lest Alick should fall upon, and beat him, in the fulness of his wrath, and entreating Miss Sophy to observe how the eyes of the said Alick gleamed with love and fury; passions, it may be observed, which being too much for his eyes rushed into his nose also, and suffused it with a crimson glow.

The Old Curiosity Shop

I was frightened to death; I never was in such a consternation in my life; I though I should have sunk into the ground; my blood ran chill in my veins, and I trembled as if I had been in a cold fit of ague.

The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous Moll Flanders

"Oh, me too," said Penny, frightened to death at Jacob, who had begun to nod and grin at her.

Brother Jacob

Uncle and nephew have been murdered--the one frightened to death by the very sight of a beast which he thought to be supernatural, the other driven to his end in his wild flight to escape from it.

The Hound of the Baskervilles

I do hope and trust I shall not see her, for I should be frightened to death lest I should say anything about her husband.

Middlemarch

They appeared, in short, frightened to death, at least so as to sit trembling and stupid, and not able to speak either, for the smoke.

Further Adventures of Robinson Crusoe

词组	frightened to death
释义	frightened to death frightened to death Very severely scared or worried. Used hyperbolically. I was frightened to death when I thought I heard footsteps on the staircase when no one else was home. We were frightened to death when we woke up to the sound of the howler monkeys. We had no idea what it was coming from. I'm frightened to death that the tests are going to come back positive. See also: death, frighten Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. frightened to death and scared to death 1. Lit. frightened to the point of dying. This poor animal has been frightened to death by the attacking dogs. 2. Fig. frightened or anxious. I don't want to go to the dentist today. I'm frightened to death. I'm frightened to death of spiders. See also: death, frighten McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. See also: be frightened to death be frightened out of (one's) wits be frightened out of your wits frighten (one) out of (one's) mind scare (one) silly frighten/scare somebody out of their wits frighten (one) out of (one's) wits frighten one out of wits die from curiosity References in classic literature At any rate, Captain Nichols was frightened to death of her. Moon and Sixpence I was nearly frightened to death. Dan says he wouldn't of been scared and Felicity says she would of known what it was but it's easy to talk. The Golden Road Your father will know, and then - oh, I shall be frightened to death!" A Millionaire of Yesterday He could not find Deesa, but he disturbed all the other elephants in the lines, and nearly frightened to death some gypsies in the woods. From Mine Own People I couldn't help it, Dinah; it was the baby's crying made me go--and yet I was frightened to death. I thought that man in the smock-frock 'ud see me and know I put the baby there. Adam Bede They had managed to obtain places in the King's service, and when they recognised Ferko with his eyes and legs sound and well they were frightened to death, for they feared he would tell the King of their conduct, and that they would be hung. Yellow Fairy Book Some day you will see your own shadow, little Manu, and then you will be frightened to death." Son Of Tarzan The moment, however, that she saw her father, she collected all her spirits, and, catching him hold by the hand, she cryed passionately, "O my dear sir, I am almost frightened to death! I hope to heaven no harm hath happened to you." "No, no," cries the squire, "no great harm. The History of Tom Jones a Foundling "Yes, out it came, and away ran Polly, frightened to death, and scrambled up on Aunt's chair, calling out, `Catch her! Little Women At this momentous crisis, Miss Cheggs proved herself a vigourous and useful ally, for not confining herself to expressing by scornful smiles a contempt for Mr Swiveller's accomplishments, she took every opportunity of whispering into Miss Sophy's ear expressions of condolence and sympathy on her being worried by such a ridiculous creature, declaring that she was frightened to death lest Alick should fall upon, and beat him, in the fulness of his wrath, and entreating Miss Sophy to observe how the eyes of the said Alick gleamed with love and fury; passions, it may be observed, which being too much for his eyes rushed into his nose also, and suffused it with a crimson glow. The Old Curiosity Shop I was frightened to death; I never was in such a consternation in my life; I though I should have sunk into the ground; my blood ran chill in my veins, and I trembled as if I had been in a cold fit of ague. The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous Moll Flanders "Oh, me too," said Penny, frightened to death at Jacob, who had begun to nod and grin at her. Brother Jacob Uncle and nephew have been murdered--the one frightened to death by the very sight of a beast which he thought to be supernatural, the other driven to his end in his wild flight to escape from it. The Hound of the Baskervilles I do hope and trust I shall not see her, for I should be frightened to death lest I should say anything about her husband. Middlemarch They appeared, in short, frightened to death, at least so as to sit trembling and stupid, and not able to speak either, for the smoke. Further Adventures of Robinson Crusoe
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