Shake in one's boots
Meaning
To be extremely frightened or nervous.
Origin
The phrase vividly describes a state of intense fear so profound that one's entire body, down to the feet, trembles uncontrollably. Emerging into common English usage in the early 19th century, with notable appearances in publications like Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine around 1827, the idiom captures the visceral, physical manifestation of terror. It paints a compelling picture of a person so utterly gripped by dread that the very ground beneath them, or at least their contained feet, seems to vibrate with their anxiety, making internal apprehension outwardly visible.
Examples
- When the boss announced unexpected layoffs, everyone started to shake in their boots.
- The rookie police officer admitted he was shaking in his boots before his first major arrest.