What does “Scare the daylights out of someone” mean?
"Scare the daylights out of someone" means to frighten someone very much.
What context can I use the in?
Example
The horror movie scared the daylights out of me.
Example
The sudden loud noise scared the daylights out of the cat.
Example
The haunted house attraction is designed to scare the daylights out of visitors
Is “Scare the daylights out of someone” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“Scare the daylights out of someone” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “Scare the daylights out of someone” effectively in context?
You can use "Scare the daylights out of someone" to describe a situation where someone is extremely frightened or scared. It emphasizes the intensity of the fear. For example, if you want to express how terrified you were after watching a horror movie, you might say, 'That movie "scared the daylights out of" me.'
- 1Entertainment
The horror movie scared the daylights out of me.
- 2Animals
The sudden loud noise scared the daylights out of the cat.
- 3Attractions
The haunted house attraction is designed to scare the daylights out of visitors.
Similar phrases to “Scare the daylights out of someone”:
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “Scare the daylights out of someone” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Scare the daylights out of someone" is unknown.
Is “Scare the daylights out of someone” common in everyday conversation?
Yes, "Scare the daylights out of someone" is a common idiom used in everyday conversation. People often use it to describe situations where they or someone else is extremely frightened or scared.
What tone does “Scare the daylights out of someone” have?
"Scare the daylights out of someone" conveys a tone of intense fear or terror. It's often used to emphasize the extreme level of fright experienced by someone.
Can “Scare the daylights out of someone” be used in informal and formal settings?
Yes, "Scare the daylights out of someone" can be used in both informal and formal settings. It's a versatile expression that describes a strong emotion. You can use it in casual conversations with friends and family, as well as in more formal situations such as storytelling or writing.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
It's commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'The sudden loud noise "scared the daylights out of" me.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'That movie "scared the daylights out of" me!' to express extreme fear.
