Fear

Adjectives to describe being afraid

Alarmed

Anxious

Apprehensive

Fearful

Frightened

Petrified

Scared

Uneasy

Worried

Phrasal Verbs

Freaked out – to become very scared or disturbed. “Agatha freaked out when a spider 

dropped on her head.”

Scare away/off - When you scare somebody or something away (or off), you make them 

leave using fear

Fear for (someone/something) – to feel worried about someone or something because you 

think something bad may happen to them or has happened to them. “Hundreds of civilians 

fear for their lives.” “I fear greatly for their safety.”

Idioms about Fear

To jump out of your skin - If you jump out of your skin, you are extremely surprised, 

scared or shocked. "Jane nearly jumped out of her skin when the horse put its head  

through the window!"

Scared stiff - Someone who is scared stiff is so frightened that they are unable to 

move. "My mother is scared stiff of heights.

Nerves of steel - Someone who has nerves of steel is not afraid in a difficult or 

dangerous situation. "You need to have nerves of steel to drive on those mountain 

roads."

Bundle of nerves – if you describe someone as a bundle of nerves, you mean that they 

are very nervous, tense or worried. “My son is doing his driving test today. Needless 

to say he’s a bundle of nerves.”

To have butterflies in your stomach – If you have butterflies in your stomach, you are 

feeling very nervous. "At the beginning of an exam, I always have butterflies in my 

stomach."

To fear the worst – to feel worried that something very bad will happen or has already 

happened. “John hasn’t been home since yesterday and I fear the worst”

Conversation Questions

What is your biggest fear for yourself?

What is your biggest fear for the world?

Why do we feel fear?

What is the best way to get over a fear?

Do you have any phobias?

What things are people commonly afraid of and why?

Why do people watch movies that make them feel afraid?

Do you enjoy watching scary movies?

Do you fear certain insects or animals? Why?

Do you know anyone with a phobia?

Do you like horror movies?

Do you think young children should be allowed to watch horror movies?

How do you react when you see something frightening?

Were you afraid of the dark as a child?

Do you think people have become more afraid since the terrorist attack of September 11?

Why do you think we have nightmares?

Have you ever seen any reality TV shows where people face their fears for money? Would 

you ever face one of your fears for money?

What are some things which many people are afraid of? Why are they afraid of them?

What is the scariest movie you have ever seen?

What kinds of things make you nervous?

Do you ever have nightmares (bad dreams)?

What is your biggest fear?

Have you overcome any of your fears?

Do you believe people can be cured of phobias by hypnosis?

Are you afraid to fly?

How do you cope with your fears?

Are you afraid of being ill? What disease are you most afraid of? Why?

What is your biggest fear for yourself?

What is your biggest fear for the world?

How would you help someone to get over their fear?

Do you have any form of phobia or paranoia?

What were you afraid of as a child?

What physical symptoms accompany fear?

If you 'put the fear of God into someone,' how do you think that person feels?

Are you afraid you might get sick?

Are you afraid of speaking English?

 Are you afraid of the dark?

 I’m afraid of being alone at night.

 I’m scared of snakes.

 I’m frightened of spiders.

 I am terrified.

 I get scared very easily.

 I was terrified when I heard the noise outside.

 I’m worried about her health.

Useful Responses:

 Don’t be afraid.

 It’s not a big deal.

 It is nothing.

 There is nothing to be afraid of.

 Take is easy.

 Calm down.

Words

afraid: "Are you afraid of the dark?"

frightened: "I'm frightened of spiders."

scared: "He's scared of making mistakes."

feel uneasy: "I felt a bit uneasy when I walked home in the dark."

spooked: "My cats are easily spooked before a thunderstorm."

terrified: "She was absolutely terrified when she heard the noise."

petrified: "The building began to shake and we were all petrified."

fear somebody/something All his employees fear him.

to fear death/persecution/the unknown

Everyone feared the coming war.

Don't worry, you have nothing to fear from us.

fear to do something (formal)

She feared to tell him the truth.

fear doing something (formal)

She feared going out at night.

See related entries: Fear

 [transitive, intransitive] to feel that something bad might have happened or might 

happen in the future

fear something She has been missing for three days now and police are beginning to fear 

the worst (= think that she is dead).

fear somebody/something + adj. Hundreds of people are feared dead.

be feared to be/have something Women and children are feared to be among the victims.

it is feared (that)… It is feared (that) he may have been kidnapped.

fear (that)… She feared (that) he might be dead.

Never fear/Fear not(= Don’t worry), I shall return.

See related entries: Fear

I fear [intransitive] (formal) used to tell somebody that you think that something bad 

has happened or is true

They are unlikely to get here on time, I fear.

‘He must be dead then?’ ‘I fear so.’

‘She's not coming back?’ ‘I fear not.’

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I am scared of making mistakes. and sometimes felt a bit uneasy when I walked in the 

dark. Somebodies get scared very easily.

I’m not really afraid of anything. When I was a child I was afraid of the dark. I also 

fear speaking in public. I don’t think fear is a bad thing. It probably stops us from 

doing really dangerous things.