jump out of (one's) skin
To physically recoil, flinch, or start, especially in fear or surprise. My goodness, I jumped out of my skin when that alarm went off in the middle of the night. Margaret jumped out of her skin when the boss called her name to give the presentation.
(almost) jump out of one's skin
and nearly jump out of one's skinFig. to react strongly to shock or surprise. Oh! You really scared me. I nearly jumped out of my skin. Bill was so startled he almost jumped out of his skin.