terror

a holy terror

A very troublesome, aggressive, or aggravating person; a person who is exasperatingly difficult in manner or behavior. I know that I was a holy terror when I was young, so I guess it's fitting that my own kids give me so much trouble.
See also: holy, terror

blanch with (an emotion)

To become visibly pale as a result of feeling a particular emotion. All of my friends ran into the creepy haunted house, but I blanched with fear when I saw it. Stella blanched with disgust at the plate of cooked ants that had been set before her.
See also: blanch

hold terror for (someone)

To cause one to feel fear. The thought of telling my parents about the awful things I've done holds great terror for me. Before I did exposure therapy, driving held terror for me. Now, I drive all over the place!
See also: hold, terror

king of terrors

1. Death as an idea or personification. In those days, the king of terrors was ever present in families' lives, such that they were forever prepared to confront the death of a loved one at almost any given moment.
2. That which is a notable cause of death. Her blood ran cold when the doctor said it could be that king of terrors, cancer.
See also: king, of, terror

reign of terror

A period of oppression by a hostile ruler. Sometimes used hyperbolically. The people could only tolerate the dictator's reign of terror for so long before they started a revolution. Is mom finished with her reign of terror, or do we have to keep cleaning the house every weekend?
See also: of, reign, terror

strike fear into (one)

To frighten, terrify, or horrify someone. While rather impractical and ineffective in combat, the use of flamethrowers in World War II was very effective at striking fear into civilians and enemy soldiers alike. The recent epidemic has struck fear into countries around the world.
See also: fear, strike

strike terror into (one)

To frighten, terrify, or horrify someone. While rather impractical and ineffective in combat, the use of flamethrowers in World War II was very effective at striking terror into civilians and enemy soldiers alike. The recent epidemic has struck terror into countries around the world.
See also: strike, terror

strike terror into (one's) heart

To frighten, terrify, or horrify someone. Can also be phrased "strike terror into the heart of (someone)." While rather impractical and ineffective in combat, the use of flamethrowers in World War II was very effective at striking terror into the hearts of civilians and enemy soldiers alike. The recent epidemic has struck terror into people's hearts around the world.
See also: heart, strike, terror

strike terror into the heart of (someone)

To fill someone with abject terror or fear. While rather impractical and ineffective in combat, the use of flamethrowers in World War II was very effective at striking terror into the hearts of civilians and enemy soldiers alike. The recent epidemic has struck terror into the hearts of people around the world.
See also: heart, of, strike, terror
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

hold terror for someone

[for something] to be frightening to a person. The thought of flying to Rio by myself held great terror for me. Nothing holds terror for me. I am a daredevil.
See also: hold, terror
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

holy terror

An exasperating individual, as in He was only five, but he was a holy terror, running wild through the house and throwing whatever he could lay his hands on . The adjective holy here is an intensifier. [Late 1800s]
See also: holy, terror
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

a reign of terror

COMMON A reign of terror is a period during which there is a lot of violence and killing, especially by people who are in positions of power. The dictator's 17-year reign of terror had ended and the people took to the streets to celebrate their freedom. His victims during a four-month reign of terror included a schoolgirl and a student. Note: The original Reign of Terror was during the French Revolution between April 1793 and July 1794, when many thousands were put to death by the government.
See also: of, reign, terror
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

king of terrors

death personified.
See also: king, of, terror
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

strike ˌfear, ˌterror, etc. into somebody/somebody’s ˈheart

(formal) make somebody feel fear, terror, etc: His crimes struck horror into the nation’s heart.
See also: heart, somebody, strike
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

holy terror

n. a devilish person; a badly behaving child. Why is the boss such a holy terror today?
See also: holy, terror
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • a holy terror
  • holy terror
  • hanger-on
  • frog in a small pond
  • a big fish in a small pond
  • a big frog in a small pond
  • big fish in a small pond
  • big frog in a small pond
  • pond
  • change off
References in periodicals archive
JuD chief, Hafiz Mohammad Saeed, was recently arrested by the counter-terrorism police in Gujranwala, Punjab, under charges of terror financing.
Hafiz Saeed's JuD carrying out terror activities by joining hands with fringe groups
Since the 9/11 incident and Pakistan role as front line state in War on Terror, the country has experienced several terrorist attacks.
Coverage of War on Terror: A Comparative Analysis of Pakistani, Indian and American Print Media
Speaking in Khorof Harar, the scene of the IED attack that killed seven policemen on Saturday, Birik said the war on terror can never be won if residents are aiding the militia.
Don't help terrorists, Wajir residents warned
The epilogue projects as to the future of family terror networks.
Family Terror Networks
class="MsoNormalThe police commander said the four will be added to the anti terror police.
Police arrest four terror suspects in Kitui
Lucknow: Was a 45-year-old woman involved in the terror funding of a plot the NIA claims to have busted during multiple raids on Wednesday?
Indian woman under scanner for funding terror module busted by NIA
Condemning terror attack on the Chinese Consulate in Karachi, he tweeted: 'Our enemies operating through their proxies want to belittle and disparage our success in war on terror.
Enemies of CPEC, peace pushing agenda through likes of Kulbhushan: Asif
There are six main aspects of terror financing which must be considered while investigating cases related to terror incidents.
Targeting terror financing
A teaser post on the Terror in the Trees website reads "Terror in Trees 2018 promises an even better immersive experience.
Dare you face Terror in the Trees at Beamish Hall? Halloween event returns in petrifying style; Halloween is upon us and the scaring has already begun at Beamish Hall with the return of Terror in the Trees
While the US is overseeing and leading the international war on terror from the front, it is true that the US remains the most flagrant example of a country having double standards while fighting the war on terror.
Hypocritical War On Terror
KARACHI -- Police's Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) on Sunday claimed to have arrested four suspected sectarian militants involved in terror financing through bank robberies, kidnapping for ransom and extortion.
Four 'LJ militants involved in fund collection' arrested
Summary: TEHRAN (FNA)- The Public Information Center of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) announced that members of a terrorist gang have been arrested on suspicion of preparing terror attacks in the Moscow region.
Terrorists Plotting Attacks in Russia's Moscow Region Arrested
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has alerted more than 56,100 Filipinos in New York City to take caution following a failed Islamic State (IS) inspired Times Square terror attack.
DFA alerts Filipinos in New York after failed Times Square attack
The Arab Gulf Union for Training and Development recently organised a conference entitled "Egypt Counters Terrorism" at Ain Shams University, in solidarity with the victims of the terror attack on the Rawda mosque near Al-Arish, last month.
"Egypt Counters Terrorism" conference calls for international rally in Egypt against terrorism