[scare] the (living|) shit out of {sb}
1
to intensely frighten or shock someone
The phrase "scare the shit out of someone" is an idiomatic expression that originated as informal slang, likely evolving organically over time. The use of "scare" to denote fear or fright is a common concept, while the addition of "the shit out of someone" serves as a strong intensifier, emphasizing a deep and immediate scare. This expression is often used to describe experiences such as watching horror movies, encountering jump scares, participating in haunted attractions, sharing spooky stories, or engaging in pranks that aim to startle or frighten.
- The horror movie I'm watching right now scares the shit out of me.
- Sudden loud noises always scare the shit out of my dog.
- He often tries to scare the shit out of his friends with unexpected pranks.
- That haunted house we visited last Halloween scared the living shit out of us.
- The thunderstorm last night scared the living shit out of me with its booming thunder.