To make blood run cold is an idiomatic expression that describes an experience or event that is utterly frightening, disturbing, or horrifying. It is the type of experience that sends shivers down one's spine, leaving them filled with fear or dread.
The phrase "blood run cold" refers to the physical sensation of feeling an intense chill or freeze due to a dramatic emotional response. It is often associated with the idea of coming face to face with something so terrifying that it causes a sudden and uncontrollable reaction in the body.
When something makes blood run cold, it evokes strong emotions of terror, horror, or revulsion. It can be a shocking revelation, a gruesome sight, or a bone-chilling story. This expression indicates that the individual is deeply affected and feels overwhelmed by fear or dread, to the point that their blood feels as if it is literally turning cold.
The phrase also suggests that the experience is deeply unsettling, that it transcends casual fear and instills a sense of foreboding or impending danger. It engenders a reaction that lingers long after the incident has occurred, leaving a profound impact on the individual and often haunting their thoughts.
In summary, the idiom "make blood run cold" describes an encounter or event that is so terrifying or disturbing that it elicits a visceral and chilling reaction in a person, causing them to feel an overwhelming sense of fear or horror.
