Scare stiff Meaning in English
expression
ˈskɛɹ/ /ˈstɪf
SKAIR STIF
skˈeə/ /stˈɪf
SKAIR STIF
Definition
To be so frightened that you feel unable to move or react. Usually used about sudden or intense fear.
Usage & Nuances
Very informal and highly expressive; commonly used in spoken English. Usually follows 'scared' as 'scared stiff' (past participle) to describe someone. Can be used literally or humorously exaggerate fear. Avoid using in formal situations.
Spanish: paralizar de miedo - asustar muchísimoPortuguese (BR): ficar paralisado de medo - assustar muitoPortuguese (PT): ficar paralisado de medo - assustar muitoChinese (Simplified): 吓呆了 - 吓得不动Chinese (Traditional): 嚇呆了 - 嚇得不動Hindi: डर के मारे जड़ हो जानाArabic: يرعب حتى الجمود - يجمد من الخوفBengali: ঠান্ডা হয়ে যাওয়া - ভয়ে স্থির হয়ে যাওয়াRussian: окаменеть от страха - до смерти испугатьсяJapanese: 恐怖で固まる - 恐怖で動けなくなるVietnamese: sợ cứng người - sợ chết khiếpKorean: 겁에 질려 꼼짝 못하다 - 너무 무서워 얼어붙다Turkish: korkudan donakalmakUrdu: خوف کے مارے جم جانا - دہشت زدہ ہو جاناIndonesian: ketakutan sampai kaku - ketakutan sekali
Example Sentences
The movie last night scared me stiff.
basic
He was scared stiff when he saw the snake.
basic
I am scared stiff of heights.
basic
I was scared stiff when the lights suddenly went out during the storm.
natural
The dog barked so loudly that I just stood there scared stiff.
natural
You should have seen Sam, he was scared stiff when he got on stage.
natural