The phrase "scaring daylights out of" means to frighten or startle someone. Its spelling is derived from its pronunciation in American English, where the /skɛrɪŋ deɪlaɪts aʊt ʌv/ is pronounced as one word. The word "scare" is pronounced with the /sk/ sound, while "daylights" is pronounced as /deɪlaɪts/ with a long "a" sound. The added preposition "out of" intensifies the meaning of the phrase. This phrase is often used colloquially in casual conversation, and its origin can be traced back to the early 20th century.
"Scaring daylights out of" is an idiomatic expression that refers to the act of frightening someone intensely or causing extreme fear or anxiety. The phrase suggests that the level of fear induced is so intense that it seems to impact someone's very essence or core being, causing their "daylights" to be figuratively shaken or disturbed.
This expression is primarily used in informal contexts and is often employed to emphasize the severity or intensity of a scare. It implies that the person experiencing the fright is left feeling shocked, startled, or deeply frightened. It can be used to describe a sudden scare or startle, or an ongoing state of fear induced by a particular event or situation.
The phrase "scaring daylights out of" is figurative and does not imply any physical harm or damage, but rather focuses on the psychological impact of the scare. It is commonly used in storytelling, descriptions, or anecdotes where someone's fear or fright needs to be emphasized or intensified to create a vivid image in the reader or listener's mind.
Overall, "scaring daylights out of" conveys the idea of terrifying someone to such an extent that it affects their innermost being, leaving them deeply frightened or shaken.