scared stiff
Adjective
Meaning
scared stiff (not comparable)
(literally) scared to the point of being unable to move, or (figuratively) very scared. [from 1890s]
He was scared stiff, like a deer in the headlights, by the vampire walking toward him.
Synonyms
frightened
horrified
terrified
intimidated
lily-livered
horror-struck
panic-stricken
petrified
panicky
panic-struck
scared to death
scared shitless
Antonyms
Show all antonymsRelated terms
Examples
He’s either scared stiff by a flying car or incapable of getting out of a burning house.
On advice, some presidential advisers seem to be scared stiff to give the right advice since they want to protect their jobs.