scared as a

USAGE SUMMARY

"scared as a" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to compare someone or something to a feeling of fear, for example: He was scared as a rabbit when he heard the thunder.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Huffington Post

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Staff and other patients on the ward felt intimidated and scared as a result.

The Guardian

"I was always scared as a kid, always frightened of what I was faced with," Littler says.

Independent

Flacco has no formal theater training, and he apparently interpreted "act scared" as a direction to open his mouth as wide as is humanly possible.

The New York Times - Sports

Two last points: I know parents who have had a lot of success with telling stories about when they were little and also were scared, as a way to empathize and connect with their child.

The Washington Post

Devised and hosted by comedy writer Sarah Morgan, this podcast asks three questions of its guests: their favourite scary scene from film or TV; something that made them scared as a child; and a fear that they still have now.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It is simply and unsentimentally shown as the obstacle to his life and his art: and Curtis is shown being as scared as a little boy as it dawns on him that his epilepsy could take everything away from him at any time.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

I was a little scared as well.

HuffPost

Evans found her at his friend's house, cowering in a hole, scared as could be.

Los Angeles Times

Sherine Tadros, Sky News's Middle East correspondent who previously worked for al-Jazeera, tweeted: " As a friend I feel incredibly sad, as a journalist I'm scared, as an Egyptian I'm ashamed".

The Guardian

Scared as an actor, just hoping it was going to be good, and then scared because I knew where I had to go," Hargitay said.

Huffington Post

That plot is drawn in part from real life: Ms. Donzelli and Mr. Elkaim are the parents of two children, the older of whom, Gabriel, now 8, survived a life-threatening cancer scare as a baby.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "scared as a" to add emphasis or emotional depth to your writing, especially when describing feelings of vulnerability or apprehension.

Common error

Avoid using comparisons with "scared as a" that are obscure or culturally specific, as this can confuse readers and diminish the impact of your writing. Always choose comparisons that are widely recognized and relevant to your target audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scared as a" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, used to emphasize the degree of fear by drawing a parallel with another entity or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. Examples in Ludwig illustrate how it modifies nouns to describe their state of fear.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "scared as a" is a grammatically correct and common expression used to emphasize a feeling of fear by comparing it to something else. Ludwig confirms its usability across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. When using this phrase, ensure the comparison is clear and relevant to your audience for maximum impact. While generally neutral in tone, consider the specific comparison to avoid being obscure or offensive. In short, “scared as a” serves as a powerful way to intensify expressions of fear through relatable comparisons.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

terrified as a

Emphasizes a more intense level of fear.

frightened as a

Similar in meaning, but slightly less intense than "terrified".

anxious as a

Shifts the focus to worry and unease rather than outright fear.

apprehensive as a

Implies a cautious anticipation of something unpleasant.

worried as a

Focuses on concern and anxiety about a potential outcome.

intimidated as a

Highlights a feeling of being threatened or overawed.

spooked as a

Informal term for being frightened or startled.

alarmed as a

Suggests a sudden awareness of danger.

daunted as a

Emphasizes feeling discouraged or intimidated by a challenge.

concerned as a

Highlights worry and apprehension, often in a more formal context.

FAQs

What does "scared as a" mean?

The phrase "scared as a" is used to express a high degree of fear, comparing someone's fear to a known source of fear or vulnerability. The simile emphasizes the intensity of the feeling.

What can I say instead of "scared as a"?

You can use alternatives like "terrified as a", "frightened as a", or "anxious as a" depending on the context.

How to use "scared as a" in a sentence?

You can use "scared as a" to compare someone's fear to something else, for example: "He was scared as a little boy when he realized he was lost."

Is "scared as a" grammatically correct?

Yes, "scared as a" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in English to express a significant level of fear through comparison.