[scare] {sb} witless
1
to do or say something that makes someone become extremely frightened or worried
The origin of the idiom "scare someone witless" is not definitively known, but it can be traced back to the use of the word "witless" to describe someone who is devoid of wit or intelligence. It is typically used in informal conversations or storytelling to describe moments or situations that evoke an extreme and paralyzing fear in someone.
- The horror movie I'm watching right now scares me witless.
- Sudden loud noises always scare my dog witless.
- He often tries to scare his friends witless with his elaborate pranks.
- That haunted house last Halloween scared us witless.
- The thunderstorm last night scared me witless with its booming thunder.