frighten the life out of

frighten the life out of (one)

To shock or frighten one very suddenly and/or severely. (Hyperbolically alludes to frightening someone so severely as to cause them to die.) Don't sneak up on me like that, you frightened the life out of me! That car accident seems to have frightened the life out of Janet—she's still shaken by it.
See also: frighten, life, of, out
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

frighten the life out of

terrify.
See also: frighten, life, of, out
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • frighten the life out of (one)
  • frighten the life out of someone
  • frighten/scare the life out of somebody
  • frighten the hell out of
  • frighten the hell out of (one)
  • scare the (living) daylights out of (one)
  • scare the living daylights out of someone
  • frighten the (living) daylights out of (someone)
  • frighten the daylights out of
  • frighten the pants off (of) (one)