pale at (something)

pale at (something)

To become fearful of, nervous about, or averse to something. Typically followed by "the thought/notion of (something)." I know that David pales at the thought of flying in an airplane. We paled at the notion of shutting down the company that our great-great-grandfather created.
See also: pale
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

pale at something

to become weak, frightened, or pale from fear of something or the thought of something. Bob paled at the thought of having to drive all the way back to get the forgotten suitcase. We paled at the notion that we would always be poor.
See also: pale
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • pale at
  • paling
  • a thought
  • figment of (one's)/the imagination
  • figment of one's imagination
  • a figment of somebody's imagination
  • cross mind
  • cross one's mind
  • cross somebody's mind
  • cross your mind