The phrase "scared the pants off of" is a common idiom used to describe a situation in which someone is frightened to an extreme extent. The word "scared" is pronounced /skerd/ with the 'a' pronounced as a schwa sound in unstressed syllables. The word "pants" is pronounced /pænts/ with the 'a' pronounced as a short 'a' sound. The original meaning of this idiom is unclear, but it is believed to have originated in the early 20th century. Now that you know how to pronounce it, don't let anything scare the pants off of you!
The phrase "scared the pants off of" is an idiomatic expression utilized informally in spoken and written English. It is used to vividly portray an extreme, intense, or overwhelming feeling of fear or fright experienced by an individual or a group. The expression emphasizes the potency of the fear-inducing event or situation.
When someone "scares the pants off of" someone else, it means they have successfully startled, terrified, or profoundly alarmed them through a sudden or unexpected action, event, or revelation. The phrase implies that the individual being scared experienced such a significant shock that it metaphorically caused their pants to be removed.
This idiomatic expression is often used figuratively to describe a situation where the fear is so intense that it startles or surprises someone to the point of losing control over their emotional or physical state momentarily. It indicates a state of being thoroughly frightened or shocked due to the severity or suddenness of the cause. The phrase can be applied to various scenarios, such as horror movies, unexpected loud noises, shocking news, or even practical jokes. In essence, it signifies a degree of fear that is powerful enough to evoke a profound response, leaving the person genuinely scared or startled.