下面我简单总结一下英语中表达恐惧的不同说法。
Different ways of expressing fear or ways to talk about being scared
scared
be afraid of one's own shadow – nervous/timid/easily frightened
For a long time after he was rescued, the boy was afraid of his own shadow.
to shake like a leaf – to tremble with fear 吓得直发抖
He was shaking like a leaf when he first stepped onto the stage, but he was standing tall and smiling by the end of the performance.
quaking in one’s boots – trembling with fear 怕得要命，吓得双腿发软
The thought of watching a horror film left him quaking in his boots.
be scared out of one’s wits – extremely frightened 吓得魂飞魄散
I was scared out of my wits when I heard screaming, but it was just some children playing.
be scared stiff – extremely frightened 非常恐惧的，极度害怕的，吓得要死的
He was scared stiff of spiders.
to break out in a cold sweat – to sweat due to fear or anxiety 直冒冷汗
The thought of his presentation made him break out in cold sweat.
to freak out – to act dramatically due to fear or excitement/to frighten someone（使）大吃一惊，（使）极度不安
“You’re really freaking me out!” he screamed while his friend was telling ghost stories.
to get the jitters (战战兢兢) – to feel very nervous 紧张
I get the jitters when I have to talk in public. 要我在大庭广众面前讲话，我就紧张。
to jump out of one’s skin – to be startled 大吃一惊
“When the vampire appeared, I jumped out of my skin!” she said after the film.
to make someone’s blood run cold – to horrify someone, frighten someone
I heard a tapping on the window, which made my blood run cold.
to strike fear into the hearts of – to cause someone/a group of people to become very frightened 把恐惧带到内心深处, 将恐惧深植心中
The news about the escaped convict struck fear into the hearts of local residents. 有关逃犯的消息使当地居民感到极度恐惧。
to whistle in the dark – to pretend to be unafraid 假装沉着给自己壮胆, 给自己壮胆
Anyone who says they liked the film is just whistling in the dark.
goosebumps – small bumps on the surface of the skin caused by cold or fear起鸡皮疙瘩
I had goosebumps all the way through the film, but I couldn’t stop watching.
to scare the hell out of – to frighten someone 吓得灵魂出窍
He shouted, “You scared the hell out of me!”
to make someone’s hair stand on end – to alarm or frighten someone 吓得毛骨悚然
The sound of crying made her hair stand on end.
to look as white as a ghost/like you have seen a ghost – to look pale due to shock or fear 吓得脸色苍白/好像看见鬼了
You look like you’ve seen a ghost.
be scared to death 非常恐惧的，极度害怕的，吓得要死的，吓傻的In high school I was scared to death of you. 高中时我怕你怕得要命。