I shudder to think

I shudder to think

It is too worrying or unpleasant for me to think about something that might happen or might have happened. I shudder to think what my boss will say when I tell him I lost our biggest client.
See also: shudder, think
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

I shudder/dread to ˈthink (how, what, etc....)

(informal, often humorous) I am afraid to think or ask myself about something, because the answer might be terrible or unpleasant: I shudder to think when he last had a bath. ‘How much more work is there?’ ‘I dread to think!’
See also: dread, shudder, think
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • shudder
  • dread
  • I dread to think
  • I shudder/dread to think
  • think out of the box
  • think back
  • go against the flow
  • What are you on?
  • never in a month of Sundays
  • What color is the sun in your world?
References in periodicals archive
I shudder to think what is going to happen when the month of fasting is upon us.
Ramazan and prices
I shudder to think what would happen if an incident happened and we didn't have a 24/7 A&E Southport MP John Pugh
A&E cuts would leave our town in the lurch
When so many high rises all around the UAE and many more being built I shudder to think if this prediction was wrong...
Quakes in UAE? Shudder to think what might be
Without AU I shudder to think where we might be as a country.
Enjoying Piety & Politics
One married a German and another a Filipina woman, but I shudder to think what would happen to children like those produced by them if they ever got into the "system" of child adoption/foster care.
The adoption stories
I shudder to think how much worse it is now than 10 years ago.
Big cities, big problems
Regarding the article "Perverted 'Peacemakers'" (June 28 issue), I shudder to think what would happen if America were disarmed under the United Nations.
On our own soil?
I shudder to think. The celebrations of last November seem a long time ago.
James Whitaker: Rugby Union