Top 52 Slang For Terrified – Meaning & Usage

Feeling terrified can be a common experience, but expressing it in words can sometimes be a challenge. That’s where we come in. Our team has gathered a collection of the most popular slang terms for feeling terrified that will have you nodding in agreement and maybe even chuckling at how accurately they capture that spine-tingling sensation. So, if you’re ready to dive into the world of fear and excitement, buckle up and get ready to explore our list!

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1. Scared stiff

This phrase describes a state of being so terrified that one becomes stiff or frozen in fear. It is often used to emphasize the intensity of fear.

For example, “When I saw the ghost, I was scared stiff and couldn’t move.”
In a horror movie, a character might say, “The suspense in this scene had me scared stiff.”
A person recounting a frightening experience might say, “I was scared stiff when I heard someone breaking into my house.”

2. Shook

This slang term describes a state of being extremely frightened or shocked. It implies a feeling of being emotionally shaken or disturbed.

For instance, “After the car accident, I was completely shook.”
A person describing a scary movie might say, “That movie had me shook from start to finish.”
If someone witnesses a disturbing event, they might say, “I’m still shook from what I saw.”

3. Petrified

To be petrified means to be completely paralyzed with fear. It is often used to describe a state of extreme terror or panic.

For example, “I was petrified when I saw the snake slithering towards me.”
In a haunted house, a person might say, “The realistic props and jump scares had me petrified.”
A person retelling a frightening story might say, “I was petrified as I heard footsteps approaching in the dark.”

4. Spooked

To be spooked means to feel uneasy, startled, or frightened. It is often used to describe a sudden feeling of fear or uneasiness.

For instance, “I got spooked when I heard a loud noise in the middle of the night.”
A person describing a creepy encounter might say, “I was spooked when I saw a shadowy figure in the abandoned building.”
If someone startles you, you might say, “You really spooked me!”

5. Freaked out

To be freaked out means to be extremely scared or panicked. It implies a strong emotional reaction to a terrifying or shocking situation.

For example, “I freaked out when I saw a spider crawling on my arm.”
If someone tells a ghost story, you might say, “That story really freaked me out.”
A person describing a near-death experience might say, “I was completely freaked out when the car almost hit me.”

6. Panicked

When someone is panicked, they are in a state of extreme fear or anxiety. It often implies a sense of urgency or desperation.

For example, “She panicked when she realized she had lost her passport.”
In a dangerous situation, someone might shout, “Don’t panic! Stay calm and follow the emergency procedures.”
A person might describe their reaction to a jump scare in a horror movie by saying, “I was so panicked, I screamed out loud.”

7. Shooketh

“Shooketh” is an exaggerated form of “shook,” which means to be deeply affected or shocked by something. It can also be used to describe extreme fear or terror.

For instance, “I was shooketh when I saw a ghost in my house.”
A person might say, “That horror movie left me shooketh. I couldn’t sleep for days.”
When describing a frightening experience, someone might say, “I was so shooketh, I couldn’t move or speak.”

8. Quaking in one’s boots

To be “quaking in one’s boots” means to be extremely scared or terrified. The phrase implies that the fear is so intense that it causes physical trembling or shaking.

For example, “He was quaking in his boots when he saw the size of the monster.”
In a suspenseful situation, someone might say, “I was quaking in my boots, waiting for the killer to reveal themselves.”
A person might jokingly say, “The thought of public speaking makes me quake in my boots.”

9. Trembling like a leaf

When someone is “trembling like a leaf,” it means they are shaking uncontrollably, often as a result of fear or nervousness. The phrase compares the person’s trembling to the movement of leaves in the wind.

For instance, “She was trembling like a leaf as she approached the haunted house.”
In a suspenseful moment, someone might say, “I was trembling like a leaf, waiting for the final verdict.”
A person might describe their reaction to a jump scare by saying, “I was trembling like a leaf, my heart racing.”

10. Running scared

To be “running scared” means to be in a state of fear or panic and actively trying to escape or avoid the source of fear.

For example, “After the loud noise, everyone started running scared.”
In a dangerous situation, someone might say, “We need to get out of here. Let’s run scared.”
A person might describe their reaction to a horror movie by saying, “That movie had me running scared. I couldn’t sleep without all the lights on.”

11. White as a sheet

When someone is “white as a sheet,” it means they are so scared or shocked that their face becomes very pale, almost the color of a white sheet.

For example, “After witnessing the accident, he turned white as a sheet.”
A person might say, “She went white as a sheet when she saw the ghost.”
Another might comment, “He was white as a sheet before his big presentation.”

12. Frozen with fear

When someone is “frozen with fear,” it means they are so terrified that they are unable to move or react. It’s as if they are physically frozen in place.

For instance, “She was frozen with fear when she saw the snake.”
A person might say, “I was frozen with fear during the horror movie.”
Another might comment, “He was frozen with fear when the robber entered the room.”

13. Terrified out of one’s wits

When someone is “terrified out of their wits,” it means they are extremely frightened to the point that they lose their composure or ability to think rationally.

For example, “The loud noise scared her out of her wits.”
A person might say, “He was terrified out of his wits when he saw the spider.”
Another might comment, “She was terrified out of her wits during the haunted house tour.”

14. Scared out of one’s mind

When someone is “scared out of their mind,” it means they are extremely scared or frightened. It implies a high level of fear or terror.

For instance, “The horror movie scared her out of her mind.”
A person might say, “He was scared out of his mind when he heard the loud noise.”
Another might comment, “She was scared out of her mind during the thunderstorm.”

15. Frightened out of one’s skin

When someone is “frightened out of their skin,” it means they are extremely frightened to the point that they feel as if their skin is crawling. It implies a deep sense of fear or unease.

For example, “The sudden scream frightened her out of her skin.”
A person might say, “He was frightened out of his skin by the ghostly figure.”
Another might comment, “She was frightened out of her skin when she saw the snake.”

16. Terrified to the core

This phrase is used to describe someone who is experiencing intense fear or terror. It implies that the fear goes deep into the person’s core, affecting them on a profound level.

For example, “When I saw the horror movie, I was terrified to the core.”
A person might say, “The haunted house was so scary, it left me terrified to the core.”
Another might exclaim, “The sound of thunder always leaves me terrified to the core.”

17. Terrified beyond belief

This phrase is used to describe someone who is so scared that it is difficult to comprehend or believe. It emphasizes the extreme level of fear that the person is experiencing.

For instance, “When I saw the spider, I was terrified beyond belief.”
A person might say, “The roller coaster was so thrilling, it left me terrified beyond belief.”
Another might exclaim, “The news of the impending storm left me terrified beyond belief.”

18. Scared out of one’s boots

This phrase is used to describe someone who is so scared that it feels like their fear has caused their boots to be forcibly removed. It emphasizes the intensity of the fear and the effect it has on the person.

For example, “When the loud noise startled me, I was scared out of my boots.”
A person might say, “The horror movie was so terrifying, it left me scared out of my boots.”
Another might exclaim, “The sudden appearance of the snake scared me out of my boots.”

19. Shaking like a leaf

This phrase is used to describe someone who is visibly trembling due to fear or nervousness. It compares the person’s shaking to the movement of a leaf in the wind.

For instance, “When I heard the loud crash, I started shaking like a leaf.”
A person might say, “The thought of public speaking makes me shake like a leaf.”
Another might exclaim, “The scary movie had me shaking like a leaf throughout.”

20. Scared witless

This phrase is used to describe someone who is so scared that it has rendered them unable to think or react. It implies a complete loss of one’s wits or mental faculties due to fear.

For example, “When I saw the ghost, I was scared witless.”
A person might say, “The roller coaster drops were so intense, they left me scared witless.”
Another might exclaim, “The sudden loud noise scared me witless.”

21. Terrified to death

This phrase is used to describe someone who is so scared that it feels like they might die from the fear.

For example, “I was terrified to death when I saw a spider crawling on my arm.”
A person might say, “I hate horror movies. They scare me to death.”
Another might exclaim, “I was terrified to death when I heard a loud noise in the middle of the night.”

22. Quaking in fear

This expression is used to describe someone who is shaking or trembling due to extreme fear.

For instance, “I was quaking in fear when I saw a ghost in the haunted house.”
A person might say, “The thought of public speaking makes me quaking in fear.”
Another might confess, “I was quaking in fear during the thunderstorm last night.”

23. Terrified beyond reason

This phrase is used to describe someone who is extremely scared to the point where their fear is not rational or logical.

For example, “I was terrified beyond reason when I saw a harmless spider.”
A person might say, “I’m terrified beyond reason of clowns. I know they’re not actually dangerous, but I can’t help it.”
Another might admit, “I’m terrified beyond reason of flying. I know it’s statistically safe, but I can’t shake the fear.”

24. Scared out of one’s skin

This expression is used to describe someone who is so scared that they feel it in their body, as if their skin is crawling or they are about to jump out of their own skin.

For instance, “The loud noise scared me out of my skin.”
A person might say, “I was scared out of my skin when I saw a snake in my backyard.”
Another might exclaim, “The horror movie was so intense, it scared me out of my skin.”

25. Frozen in fear

This phrase is used to describe someone who is so scared that they are unable to move or take any action.

For example, “I was frozen in fear when I heard footsteps behind me.”
A person might say, “I’m scared of heights, so I often freeze in fear when I have to climb a ladder.”
Another might admit, “I froze in fear when I saw a bear in the woods. I didn’t know what to do.”

26. Terrified to the bone

This slang phrase emphasizes the intensity of fear, suggesting that it goes deep into one’s bones.

For example, “When I saw the spider crawling on my arm, I was terrified to the bone.”
In a horror movie, a character might say, “The haunted house gave me chills and left me terrified to the bone.”
Someone sharing a scary experience might say, “I was walking alone in the dark forest and heard strange noises. I was terrified to the bone.”

27. Petrified with fear

This slang phrase describes a state of extreme fear that causes a person to become immobile, as if turned to stone.

For instance, “When the bear charged at me, I was petrified with fear.”
In a haunted house, a person might say, “The sudden appearance of the ghost left me petrified with fear.”
Someone describing a traumatic experience might say, “I was in a car accident and for a moment, I was petrified with fear.”

28. Shook to the core

This slang phrase suggests that fear has shaken a person to their very core, causing intense emotional and physical reactions.

For example, “After witnessing the accident, I was shook to the core.”
In a thriller movie, a character might say, “The plot twist at the end left me shook to the core.”
Someone describing a terrifying event might say, “When the earthquake hit, I was shook to the core.”

29. Terrified out of one’s mind

This slang phrase emphasizes the level of fear a person is experiencing, suggesting that it has overwhelmed their mind.

For instance, “When I heard the loud noise in the middle of the night, I was terrified out of my mind.”
In a ghost story, a person might say, “The eerie sounds in the old house left me terrified out of my mind.”
Someone describing a near-death experience might say, “As the car skidded off the road, I was terrified out of my mind.”

30. Paralyzed with terror

This slang phrase describes a state of fear that is so intense, it renders a person unable to move or take action.

For example, “When the snake slithered towards me, I was paralyzed with terror.”
In a suspenseful situation, a person might say, “The sight of the masked intruder left me paralyzed with terror.”
Someone describing a phobia might say, “I have arachnophobia, so whenever I see a spider, I become paralyzed with terror.”

31. Trembling with fear

This phrase describes someone who is so scared that their body involuntarily shakes or trembles. It emphasizes the physical manifestation of fear.

For instance, “She was trembling with fear as she walked through the haunted house.”
In a horror movie, a character might say, “I could feel myself trembling with fear as the monster got closer.”
A person describing a terrifying experience might say, “I was trembling with fear when I saw the car crash right in front of me.”

32. Scared as hell

This expression is used to convey intense fear or terror. It emphasizes the extreme level of fear someone is experiencing.

For example, “I was scared as hell when I heard a noise in the middle of the night.”
In a suspenseful situation, a person might say, “I was scared as hell that something bad was going to happen.”
A person describing a traumatic event might say, “I was scared as hell during the entire ordeal.”

33. Scared to the core

This phrase describes someone who is scared to their very core, meaning they are profoundly and intensely frightened. It emphasizes the depth of fear someone is feeling.

For instance, “The horror movie scared me to the core.”
In a ghost story, a character might say, “The eerie atmosphere of the haunted house scared me to the core.”
A person describing a traumatic experience might say, “The sound of gunshots scared me to the core.”

34. Terrified to the max

This expression indicates someone who is completely and utterly terrified. It emphasizes the extreme level of fear someone is experiencing.

For example, “I was terrified to the max when I saw a spider crawling on my arm.”
In a suspenseful situation, a person might say, “The loud noise scared me to the max.”
A person describing a phobia might say, “I’m terrified to the max of heights.”

35. Scared senseless

This phrase describes someone who is so scared that they are unable to think clearly or react. It emphasizes the overwhelming fear that renders a person temporarily senseless.

For instance, “The sudden loud noise scared me senseless.”
In a horror movie, a character might say, “The sight of the ghost scared me senseless.”
A person describing a near-death experience might say, “The car accident scared me senseless.”

36. Panicking

When someone is panicking, they are experiencing intense fear and anxiety. It often involves a sense of being overwhelmed and a loss of control.

For example, “I was panicking when I realized I had lost my wallet.”
In a stressful situation, someone might say, “Don’t panic, we’ll figure this out.”
A person might describe their panic attack by saying, “I felt my heart racing and I couldn’t catch my breath, I was panicking.”

37. Terrified out of my wits

When someone is terrified out of their wits, they are extremely scared. It implies a level of fear that is overwhelming and may cause a person to lose their composure.

For instance, “I was terrified out of my wits when I saw a spider crawling on me.”
In a horror movie, a character might say, “I was terrified out of my wits when the ghost appeared.”
A person describing a traumatic experience might say, “I was so terrified out of my wits that I couldn’t move or speak.”

38. Quaking in my boots

When someone is quaking in their boots, they are shaking with fear. It is an expression used to convey extreme fright or anxiety.

For example, “I was quaking in my boots when I heard a loud noise in the middle of the night.”
In a suspenseful situation, a person might say, “I was quaking in my boots waiting for the test results.”
A person describing their fear of public speaking might say, “Just the thought of giving a presentation makes me quake in my boots.”

39. Shivering with fear

When someone is shivering with fear, they are trembling due to fear. It is a physical manifestation of the intense fear and anxiety a person is experiencing.

For instance, “I was shivering with fear when I heard someone breaking into my house.”
In a scary movie, a character might say, “I was shivering with fear as I walked through the haunted house.”
A person describing their fear of heights might say, “Just the thought of standing near the edge makes me shiver with fear.”

40. White as a ghost

When someone is white as a ghost, they are extremely pale due to fear. It is a metaphorical expression used to describe the physical appearance of someone who is terrified.

For example, “She was white as a ghost when she saw the car accident.”
In a suspenseful moment, a person might say, “His face turned white as a ghost when he realized he was being followed.”
A person describing their fear of public speaking might say, “I always turn white as a ghost before I have to give a presentation.”

41. Scared out of my mind

When someone is “scared out of their mind,” it means they are experiencing intense fear or terror. This phrase is often used to emphasize how scared someone is.

For example, “I was scared out of my mind when I heard a loud crash in the middle of the night.”
Another example, “The horror movie was so scary, it had me scared out of my mind.”
Someone might say, “I was scared out of my mind when I saw a spider crawling on my arm.”

42. Terrified

Being “terrified” means being filled with extreme fear or terror. It is a strong emotion that can cause a person to feel paralyzed or unable to think clearly.

For instance, “I was terrified when I saw a ghost in the haunted house.”
Another example, “The loud thunder scared the dog and it was absolutely terrified.”
A person might say, “I’m terrified of heights and can’t even climb a ladder.”

43. Jittery

When someone is “jittery,” it means they are feeling nervous or anxious. It is often used to describe a person who is on edge or easily startled.

For example, “I always get jittery before a big presentation.”
Another example, “The loud noise made me feel jittery and on edge.”
A person might say, “I feel jittery when I have to speak in front of a large audience.”

44. Frightened out of one’s wits

When someone is “frightened out of their wits,” it means they are extremely scared or terrified. This phrase emphasizes the level of fear someone is experiencing.

For instance, “The loud explosion frightened me out of my wits.”
Another example, “The horror movie was so terrifying, it frightened me out of my wits.”
A person might say, “I was frightened out of my wits when I saw a snake slithering towards me.”

45. Shaking in one’s shoes

When someone is “shaking in their shoes,” it means they are extremely scared or fearful. This phrase is often used to describe someone who is so scared that their body trembles.

For example, “I was shaking in my shoes when I heard a loud noise in the dark.”
Another example, “The haunted house was so creepy, it had me shaking in my shoes.”
A person might say, “I was shaking in my shoes when I had to give a speech in front of a large audience.”

46. Quivering with fright

This phrase describes someone who is visibly trembling due to extreme fear or terror. It emphasizes the physical manifestation of fear.

For example, “She was quivering with fright when she saw the spider.”
In a horror movie, a character might be described as “quivering with fright” as they encounter a terrifying creature.
A witness to a traumatic event might say, “I was quivering with fright when I saw the accident happen.”

47. Afraid of one’s own shadow

This phrase is used to describe someone who is extremely easily scared or startled. It suggests that even their own shadow can cause them fear.

For instance, “He’s so jumpy, he’s afraid of his own shadow.”
In a comedy, a character might be portrayed as “afraid of their own shadow” to highlight their comedic fearfulness.
A friend might tease another by saying, “You’re afraid of your own shadow!”

48. Trembling with terror

This phrase describes someone who is visibly shaking due to intense fear or terror. It emphasizes the physical reaction to extreme fear.

For example, “She was trembling with terror as she walked through the haunted house.”
In a thriller novel, a character might be described as “trembling with terror” as they face a life-threatening situation.
A person recounting a scary experience might say, “I was trembling with terror when I heard the strange noises in the dark.”

49. Fearful as a rabbit

This phrase compares someone’s fear to that of a rabbit, which is known for being easily frightened and skittish. It suggests a high level of fearfulness.

For instance, “He’s as fearful as a rabbit whenever he hears a loud noise.”
In a conversation about phobias, someone might say, “I’m as fearful as a rabbit when it comes to spiders.”
A parent might comfort a scared child by saying, “There’s no need to be as fearful as a rabbit. It’s just a thunderstorm.”

50. Scared to death

This phrase describes someone who is so terrified that it feels as if they could die from fear. It emphasizes the extreme intensity of their fear.

For example, “The loud crash scared her to death.”
In a horror movie, a character might be “scared to death” by a supernatural entity.
A person might say, “I’m scared to death of heights” to express their extreme fear of heights.

51. Shaking in fear

This phrase describes the physical reaction of someone who is extremely scared or frightened. It implies that the person is so terrified that their body involuntarily shakes.

For example, “I was shaking in fear when I saw the ghost.”
A person might say, “She was shaking in fear as she walked through the haunted house.”
Another might describe their experience, “I couldn’t control my shaking in fear during the horror movie.”

52. Quaking with fear

Similar to “shaking in fear,” this phrase also describes the physical reaction of someone who is extremely terrified. It suggests that the person is trembling so violently that it feels like an earthquake.

For instance, “I was quaking with fear when I heard the loud noise.”
A person might say, “The child was quaking with fear after seeing a spider.”
Another might share their experience, “I couldn’t stop quaking with fear during the thunderstorm.”