The phrase "scaring the daylights out of" is a common idiom used to describe frightening someone to the point of extreme fright. The word "daylights" is spelled phonetically as /ˈdeɪˌlaɪts/ which uses the long "A" sound in "day" and the long "I" sound in "lights". The word is spelled this way to differentiate it from the more common spelling of "daylight", which means the natural light of day. This idiom has been in use since the mid-1800s and continues to be a popular expression today.
Scaring the daylights out of someone is an idiom that means to frighten or startle someone to the point where they experience intense fear or extreme shock. This expression is often used to describe a scenario or event that causes someone to become terrified or deeply alarmed.
The phrase "scaring the daylights out of" is derived from the word "daylights," which is a metaphorical term referring to a person's innermost being, mind, or consciousness. To "scare the daylights out of" someone is to instill such fear or panic that it seems to strip away the person's mental or emotional vitality, effectively disorienting or overwhelming them.
This idiomatic expression implies a sudden and drastic scare that may cause physical reactions such as accelerated heart rate, increased perspiration, or even screaming. It suggests the idea of shocking or startling someone to an extremely intense degree, often leaving a lasting impact on their mental and emotional state.
The phrase is commonly used in contexts where an event, such as a horror movie, a surprise prank, or a sudden loud noise, triggers an intensely fearful reaction. It can also be used figuratively, outside the realm of fear, to describe situations where someone is stunned, shocked, or deeply disturbed by an unexpected turn of events or news.