The idiom "scares the daylights out of" is spelled /skeərz ði deɪlaɪts aʊt ʌv/. The word "scares," spelled /skeərz/, is a verb that means to cause fear or alarm. "Daylights," spelled /deɪlaɪts/, refers to the light of day and is used in this phrase to emphasize the intensity of fear. "Out of" is a preposition that means to remove or take away, and is spelled /aʊt ʌv/. Together, the phrase means to frighten someone severely.
The expression "scares the daylights out of" is an idiomatic phrase that can be used to describe an intense and overwhelming feeling of fear or terror. The term "daylights" refers to a person's inner light or vitality, thus suggesting that the fear completely drains away one's energy and enthusiasm, leaving them in a state of complete shock or dread. This phrase is often used colloquially to emphasize the degree of fright someone experiences in a particular situation.
When one says that something "scares the daylights out of" them, they typically mean that the fear it instills within them is so extreme that it affects them deeply on a physical, mental, or emotional level. It can be used to describe a variety of scenarios, from horror movies that provoke extreme terror to startling, unexpected events that catch one off guard. The phrase's effectiveness lies in its ability to convey a sense of intense fear and shock, almost as if the fear has completely invaded and taken over one's inner being.
Overall, "scares the daylights out of" is an idiomatic expression that vividly describes the overwhelming and terrifying effect that fear can have on a person. It captures the idea of being completely drained of vitality as one is consumed by a frightening situation, leaving them feeling utterly horrified or paralyzed with fear.