[scare|freighten] the (living|) daylights out of {sb}
1
to shock or frighten someone very suddenly or severely
The origin of the idiom "scare the daylights out of someone" is not entirely clear. It is believed to have emerged in the late 19th or early 20th century. The word "daylights" in this phrase refers to the idea of one's consciousness or vital energy. This expression is used in different situations to describe when something or someone frightens another person intensely. It's commonly used in casual conversations, storytelling, or informal writing.
- The sudden loud noise from the fireworks scared the daylights out of me.
- Horror movies always scare the living daylights out of my sister.
- The haunted house we visited last Halloween scared the daylights out of everyone.
- When the dog jumped out from behind the bushes, it scared the living daylights out of me.
- The thought of skydiving next month is already scaring the daylights out of me.