shaking in one's boots
Trembling with dread
Shaking in one's boots describes being extremely frightened or anxious, with fear so intense it causes trembling.
The image is of someone whose legs shake visibly despite the sturdy footwear meant to project confidence or toughness: The new recruit was shaking in his boots before the drill sergeant arrived.
Often used with mock drama or irony.
- scared stiffImmobilized by extreme fright
- scared to deathExtremely frightened
- tremblingInvoluntary shaking motion
- cold sweatFear-triggered perspiration
- sweaty palmsMoist hands from nerves
knocking knees · heart pounding · trepidation · sweating · white as a sheet · butterflies in stomach · dread · fright · panic · nervousness · apprehension · on edge · goosebumps · foreboding · quaking · shivering · weak in the knees · worry
shaking in one's bootscool as a cucumber
Extremely calm and composed
unflappable · composed · nerves of steel · serene · unfazed
shaking in one's bootsstanding tall
Remaining proudly upright
steady as a rock · keeping one's cool · unflinching · steely · stiff upper lip
shake, shakes, shaken, shaker, shakers, shakily, shakiness, boots, booted