scared to live

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scared to live" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a fear or anxiety about living life fully or embracing experiences. Example: "She was so overwhelmed by her past that she felt scared to live and take risks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Second Girl: I'd be scared to live in that neighborhood.

The New Yorker

Many citizens are suddenly scared to live in their own country.

The New Yorker

Describes the alarm salesman's visit, & how the writer didn't want to say hewas scared to live there alone--so he said he wanted to protect his objects.

The New Yorker

I go to bed quite early.' She is scared to live in London because 'it's too on' and she thinks she would be pestered by paparazzi.

The Guardian - Film

Because just look at her, flat as a board, shortish, a bit chubby, not nearly as smart as she thinks she is, that jerk Beckett, lurking in her one-piece, too scared to live in a bikini world, and you know next summer she'll be covered with zits, and, my God, that mother of hers, with that laugh, toxic on toxic.

The New Yorker

"I'm scared to live here.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

As far as words of wisdom for other people with entrepreneurial ambitions who are scared to start living their lives out loud, Jennifer had this piece of advice, which she (admittedly) stole from Buddha: "The obstacle is the path".

Huffington Post

"The best way to honor my dad for me is to not be scared, and to live and go to school in New York," she said.

The New York Times

Living Sims can be scared to death by the ghosts.

WikiHow

They refused to acknowledge my sexuality and I was too scared to talk about it much, living in fear of their rejection.

Independent

"My family is scared to death," said Ed Hays, who lives on the same road as the Pinckneys and said he had bought a $4,000 alarm system.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "scared to live" to express a deep-seated fear that prevents someone from fully engaging with life or taking necessary risks. It often implies a sense of being held back by anxiety or past experiences.

Common error

Avoid using "scared to live" when you simply mean someone is generally anxious. The phrase implies a more profound fear related to the act of living itself, not just everyday worries.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scared to live" functions as an adjectival phrase followed by an infinitive, modifying an implied or stated subject. It typically describes someone's emotional state, indicating a fear that hinders them from fully experiencing or engaging with life.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "scared to live" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that describes a deep-seated fear preventing someone from fully embracing life. According to Ludwig, it is found in various contexts, particularly in news and media, and is considered to have a neutral register. While it is an uncommon phrase, alternatives like "afraid to exist" or "fearful of living" can be used to convey similar meanings. It's important to differentiate this phrase from general anxiety, as it implies a more profound fear related to the act of living itself.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fearful of living

Emphasizes the feeling of fear associated with the act of living.

afraid to exist

Focuses more on the fear of simply existing rather than actively living.

apprehensive about living

Suggests a sense of unease or worry regarding one's life.

anxious about life

Highlights the anxiety related to the broader concept of life.

hesitant to live fully

Indicates a reluctance to experience life to its fullest potential.

terrified to embrace life

Focuses on the extreme fear of welcoming or accepting life's experiences.

uneasy about existence

Highlights a feeling of discomfort or restlessness with the idea of existing.

intimidated by life

Implies that life is perceived as a daunting or overwhelming force.

reluctant to face life

Suggests a disinclination to confront the challenges and realities of life.

unwilling to live

Conveys a stronger sense of not wanting to live, bordering on despair.

FAQs

What does it mean to be "scared to live"?

Being "scared to live" suggests a fear of fully engaging with life, taking risks, or embracing experiences. It's a deeper anxiety than everyday worries.

How can I use "scared to live" in a sentence?

You might say, "She was so overwhelmed by her past that she felt "scared to live" and take risks".

What can I say instead of "scared to live"?

You can use alternatives like "afraid to exist", "fearful of living", or "anxious about life" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "scared to live" the same as being generally anxious?

No, "scared to live" implies a specific fear of embracing life or taking risks, while general anxiety encompasses a broader range of worries and unease.