Scare the pants off someone: Idiom Meaning & Examples

Meaning 1：terrify (Scare the pants off someone)

Scare the pants off someone 🔊

/skɛr ðə pænts ɔf ˈsʌmwʌn/

verb phrase

To frighten someone very badly, so that they might jump or scream.

terrify 🔊

➕

/ˈtɛrɪfaɪ/

verb phrase

To scare someone extremely, often causing a strong physical reaction like jumping or screaming.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📖 Root Explanation

Idiom meaning 'frighten extremely', from vivid image of pants dropping.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of a ghost making you jump so high that your pants fly off.

📖 Example

The sudden loud noise in the quiet library scared the pants off me. 🔊 The sudden loud noise in the quiet library scared the pants off me.

🔗 Collocations

scare the pants off someone – to terrify someone

frighten the pants off someone – to cause extreme fear

shock the pants off someone – to greatly surprise and frighten

🔄 Synonyms

terrify (v.) – to cause extreme fear

frighten (v.) – to make someone afraid

scare (v.) – to cause a sudden feeling of fear

🚫 Antonyms

calm (v.) – to make someone feel peaceful and relaxed

reassure (v.) – to say something to stop someone from worrying

📖 Cultural Story

First recorded in early 20th century American English, using hyperbolic imagery of fright causing pants to fall off. Common in casual speech.