frighten the piss out of
Severely startle someone
To frighten the piss out of someone is to scare them intensely—so badly they might lose bladder control.
The phrase is vulgar but common, used for emphasis rather than literal description: That horror movie frightened the piss out of me.
Variants include *scare the piss out of* and the even cruder *scare the shit out of*.
- scare the pants offFrighten someone intensely
- scare the hell out ofFrighten intensely
- tremblingInvoluntary shaking motion
- white as a sheetExtremely pale from shock
- scare the living daylights out ofFrighten someone intensely
shaking like a leaf · blood run cold · scared out of one's wits · terror · goosebumps · cold sweat · scared stiff · make someone's hair stand on end · panic · horror · sweating · screaming · heart-pounding · fight or flight · give someone the creeps · dread · nervousness · haunted house
frighten the piss out ofsoothe
Gently ease discomfort
reassure · put at ease · calm · comfort · relax
frighten the piss out ofembolden
Give courage to
hearten · encourage · buck up · fortify · invigorate
frighten the piss out ofdelight
Intense pleasure or satisfaction
make someone's day · elate · enchant · charm · tickle pink
frighten, fright, frightened, frightening, frightful, frightfully, pissed, pisser