scared stiff of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scared stiff of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express an extreme level of fear or anxiety about something or someone. Example: "She was scared stiff of speaking in public, so she avoided any situation that required it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

She's scared stiff of you".

The New Yorker

I think she's scared stiff of us.

The Guardian

I would certainly try my absolute hardest for him because I'd be scared stiff of him.

Independent

There are people just scared stiff of the name Firestone, which is unfortunate.

The New York Times

I must have been about eight and I was scared stiff of it.

The Guardian - Music

"Is June frightened of you?" "She is scared stiff of me.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

They should be scared stiff for the future of countries on the Eastern side of the Atlantic not least the U.K. In Great Britain, Prime Minister Tony Blair has promised a referendum on the future of the pound.

Forbes

Uncle Tom and Aunt Polly are tapped out, and lenders are scared stiff, so you offer 25% of your venture to investors in the form of common stock without dividends.

Forbes

In 1953 Marshall worked with Martin and Lewis on the comedies Scared Stiff, a remake of The Ghost Breakers, and Money from Home, which was filmed in 3-D.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Our artists were scared stiff at the beginning of this project," Rooke says.

Vice

I remember taking it to the end-of-term party and I was scared stiff because I wanted to share it with people but I didn't want it to be snapped in half.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "scared stiff of", ensure the context clearly indicates what is causing the fear to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify the object, person, or situation that is frightening.

Common error

Avoid using vague pronouns (e.g., "it", "that") after "scared stiff of" without clear reference. Always specify what the subject is afraid of to maintain clarity. For example, instead of "He's scared stiff of it", use "He's scared stiff of public speaking".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scared stiff of" functions as a subject complement, describing the state of being of the subject. It indicates a high degree of fear related to a specific object or situation, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

17%

Encyclopedias

16%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scared stiff of" is a phrase used to express intense fear or apprehension towards something. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and frequently found in news and media contexts. While not overly formal, it serves to emphasize a high degree of fear, often implying a state of paralysis or immobility. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure clarity by specifying what the subject is afraid of. Consider alternatives like "terrified of" or "petrified of" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

terrified of

Replaces "scared stiff" with a single word conveying intense fear.

petrified of

Uses a different synonym for fear, suggesting a state of being frozen with fright.

afraid of to the point of paralysis

Emphasizes the incapacitating effect of fear, adding intensity.

frightened out of one's wits by

Employs a more idiomatic expression to convey extreme fear.

in mortal fear of

Indicates a fear so intense it feels life-threatening.

trembling with fear because of

Focuses on the physical manifestation of fear, highlighting the body's response.

consumed by the fear of

Suggests that fear is all-encompassing and overwhelming.

filled with terror at the thought of

Highlights the mental aspect of fear, emphasizing the dread of something.

anxious to the point of panic about

Replaces "scared stiff" with a phrase indicating extreme anxiety and potential panic.

apprehensive and fearful regarding

Uses more formal language to describe a state of fear and unease.

FAQs

How can I use "scared stiff of" in a sentence?

You can use "scared stiff of" to describe someone's intense fear of something. For example, "She is scared stiff of spiders" or "They are scared stiff of failing the exam".

What's the difference between "terrified of" and "scared stiff of"?

Both phrases indicate a high degree of fear, but "scared stiff of" often implies a more immobilizing fear. "Terrified of" suggests intense fear, while "scared stiff of" suggests fear to the point of being paralyzed or unable to move.

Are there more formal alternatives to "scared stiff of"?

Yes, you could use more formal phrases like "extremely apprehensive about" or "in mortal fear of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "scared stiff from" instead of "scared stiff of"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "scared stiff" is "of". Saying "scared stiff from" is grammatically incorrect. Stick to "scared stiff of" to maintain proper usage.