put the fear of God into: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘put the fear of God into’ mean?
The idiom put the fear of God into means to frighten or intimidate someone, often to instill a sense of respect or obedience.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "send shivers down someone's spine" means to cause a sudden strong feeling of fear, excitement, or thrill.
The idiom "scare the pants off" means to frighten or startle someone very much, often resulting in them losing their courage or composure. The phrase suggests a sudden and intense fear that can make someone feel as if their pants are literally scared off.
The idiom "scare the living daylights out of" means to frighten someone intensely. The word "scare" indicates a sudden sense of fear, while "living daylights" emphasizes the intensity and liveliness of the scare. This expression aims to convey the idea of terrifying someone to the core.
The idiom "scare the life out of" means to frighten someone intensely or to cause extreme fear or anxiety. It is used to describe a situation where something or someone is so frightening that it feels as if their life is being drained out of them.
To "scare someone to death" means to frighten someone so severely that it causes them extreme fear or shock.
The idiom "scared to death" means to be extremely frightened or afraid to the point where it feels like one could die from fear.
The idiom "scared shitless" means to be extremely frightened or terrified to the point of losing control over bodily functions. It is an intensified version of simply feeling scared.
The idiom "run scared" means to feel fearful or panicked, usually because of a perceived threat or danger. It is often used to describe someone who is in a state of heightened anxiety and is acting out of fear.
The idiom "rub the fear of God into" means to strongly intimidate or instill a profound sense of fear or respect in someone.
Divine intimidation revealed
The idiom "put the fear of God into" is a common expression in English, used to describe instilling extreme fear or terror into someone. This phrase implies that someone has been so intimidated that they are compelled to take certain actions or change their behavior. The origin of this idiom is not definitively known, but it has been in use for several centuries and is rooted in religious and biblical references.
The phrase "fear of God" is believed to originate from the Bible, specifically from the concept of the fear of the Lord mentioned in various passages. The fear of God is described as a reverential awe or profound respect for a higher power. In religious contexts, it is associated with obedience, repentance, and submission to God's will. This biblical notion forms the basis for the idiom "put the fear of God into."
The act of "putting the fear of God into" someone is an intense and often intimidating action that induces extreme fear and makes the individual feel powerless. This idiom is commonly used when someone wants to convey the idea of extreme intimidation or issue a severe warning to another person. It emphasizes the potential consequences that could befall them if they do not comply. It is similar in meaning to other idioms such as "rub the fear of God into," "scare the pants off," and "scare someone to death."
Over time, idioms often evolve and shift in meaning. The idiom "put the fear of God into" may have evolved from its religious origins to become a more secular expression. It is now commonly used to describe situations where people want to instill fear or intimidation in others, without necessarily invoking religious connotations.
It is worth noting that this idiom is not exclusive to the English language. Other languages have their own variations with similar meanings. Different cultures have their own unique expressions to convey the concept of instilling intense fear or intimidation in others.
The idiom "put the fear of God into" is a powerful expression that signifies the act of instilling extreme fear or terror in someone. Its origins can be traced back to religious and biblical references, specifically the concept of the fear of God. Over time, this idiom has evolved to become a more secular expression, commonly used to describe situations where people want to intimidate others or issue severe warnings. Despite its longstanding usage, the idiom still carries a sense of mystery and intrigue, leaving room for further exploration and interpretation.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom *put the fear of God into* can be used in a sentence:
- He put the fear of God into his opponent with his powerful punches.
- The teacher's stern words put the fear of God into the misbehaving students.
- After witnessing the severe consequences, the reckless driver had the fear of God put into him and vowed to drive more safely.
More "Religion" idioms
