put the fear of God into (one)
put the fear of God into (one)
To cause one to greatly fear the potential consequences of something, such as misbehavior, typically by threats or a graphic description of such consequences. Our chemistry teacher has put the fear of God into us about fooling around near the chemicals and acids.
See also: fear, god, of, put
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
put the fear of God into
Terrify someone, as in The school counselor put the fear of God into the girls when she talked about AIDS. This phrase alludes to a time when most people had a mingled feeling of dread and reverence toward the deity. [Late 1800s]
See also: fear, god, of, put
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
put the fear of God into someone
If someone or something puts the fear of God into you, they frighten or worry you very much, often deliberately. At some time or other Eve had obviously put the fear of God into her. They put the fear of God into us with their tales of loss of control on one engine and violent swings on take-off and landing. `That accident put the fear of God into me,' said Jones.
See also: fear, god, of, put, someone
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
put the fear of ˈGod into somebody
(informal) frighten somebody very much, especially in order to force them to do what you want: The first thing that happens when you go into the army is that they put the fear of God into you.See also: fear, god, of, put, somebody
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- put the fear of God in
- put the fear of God in (one)
- put the fear of God in someone
- put the fear of God into
- put the fear of God into somebody
- put the fear of God into someone
- more like
- more like (something)
- answer to the description (of)
- answer to the description of