Meanings
adjectivescared stiff (not comparable)
- literallynot comparablescared to the point of being unable to move, or (figuratively) very scared.First known use 1890s
He was scared stiff, like a deer in the headlights, by the vampire walking toward him.
1 more example
I was scared stiff when I saw the car coming; it came like lightning;
1895, “Wicke v Albany Railway”, in New York Court of Appeals. Records and Briefs.Synonyms: petrified, scared to death, scared shitless
Synonyms & antonyms
adjectivescared to the point of being unable to move, or (figuratively) very scared.
Also see
Translations
Greek μου κόπηκαν τα ήπατα
- μου κόπηκαν τα ήπατα (mou kópikan ta ípata)terrified
Māori pakaru/(katoa) [ngā] hamuti, tarawewehi
- pakaru/(katoa) [ngā] hamuti (ana)terrified
- tarawewehiterrified
Scottish Gaelic gòrach leis an eagal, air chur eagal a' mhionaich air
- gòrach leis an eagalterrified
- air chur eagal a' mhionaich airterrified
Swedish livrädd
- livräddterrified
Cite this entry
APA
scared stiff. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/scared%20stiff
MLA
“scared stiff.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/scared%20stiff. Accessed November 4, 2026.
Chicago
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “scared stiff,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/scared%20stiff.
Source: scared stiff on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.