scared stiff
1
extremely frightened to the point of being unable to move or react
- She was scared stiff when she heard footsteps behind her in the dark.
- The children were scared stiff after watching the horror movie.
- The horror movie left him scared stiff for the rest of the night.
- Even the bravest in the group were scared stiff when the lights went out.
- The child, scared stiff, hid behind his mother when the dog barked.