Idioms are short expressions that have a hidden or symbolic meaning, not directly related to the words themselves. In horror writing, scary idioms add mood, tension, and emotion to scenes — without extra words.
Whether you’re a blogger, fiction writer, or ESL learner, these scary idioms will help you create fear, suspense, and drama in your stories.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
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The top 15 scary idioms
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Their meanings and usage
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Examples to use in writing
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Where to use them in your horror stories
Top 15 Scary Idioms with Meaning & Usage
Skeleton in the Closet
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Meaning: A hidden and shameful secret
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Example: “Every family has a skeleton in the closet… some just rattle louder than others.”
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Use in Story: Suspense build-up before a dark family revelation
Blood Runs Cold
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Meaning: To feel sudden fear or shock
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Example: “His blood ran cold when he saw a shadow move in the mirror.”
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Use in Story: Sudden paranormal appearance
Ghost of a Chance
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Meaning: Almost no chance at all
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Example: “They didn’t have a ghost of a chance to escape the cursed forest.”
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Use in Story: When characters are trapped or hopeless
Scared Stiff
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Meaning: Extremely frightened
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Example: “I was scared stiff when the basement door creaked open on its own.”
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Use in Story: After a strange noise or incident
Dead Ringer
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Meaning: Someone who looks exactly like someone else
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Example: “The woman was a dead ringer for the missing bride… but she vanished years ago.”
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Use in Story: Doppelgänger horror theme
Bury the Hatchet
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Meaning: To forgive someone or end a conflict
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Example: “They thought they had buried the hatchet. But the past was not done with them yet.”
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Use in Story: Past revenge or unresolved grudges
Dig One’s Own Grave
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Meaning: To cause one’s own downfall
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Example: “By opening that cursed book, he dug his own grave.”
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Use in Story: Warning moments or cursed decisions
Rest in Peace
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Meaning: A common phrase used for the dead
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Example: “The gravestone read: ‘Rest in Peace’ — but the soil above it was freshly disturbed.”
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Use in Story: Graveyard, tomb, or undead scenes
Jump Out of One’s Skin
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Meaning: To be suddenly scared
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Example: “I nearly jumped out of my skin when the phone rang in the silence.”
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Use in Story: Sudden horror jolt or jump scare
Give Me the Creeps
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Meaning: To feel uncomfortable or scared
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Example: “That painting of the girl with no eyes gave me the creeps.”
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Use in Story: Describing haunted places or cursed objects
Under the Weather
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Meaning: Feeling sick
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Example: “I felt under the weather… until I saw the bite marks on my neck.”
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Use in Story: Werewolf or vampire transformation scenes
Cold Feet
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Meaning: To feel afraid or nervous at the last moment
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Example: “He got cold feet and refused to enter the haunted house.”
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Use in Story: Pre-ritual or scary decision scenes
Drop Dead Gorgeous
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Meaning: Extremely beautiful
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Example: “She was drop dead gorgeous… maybe because she wasn’t alive anymore.”
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Use in Story: Seductive ghost, vampire, banshee, siren tropes
Grave Mistake
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Meaning: A very serious mistake
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Example: “Taking the shortcut through the forest was a grave mistake.”
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Use in Story: Critical wrong turn in plot
In Cold Blood
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Meaning: With no emotion, cruelly
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Example: “He killed them in cold blood — or maybe something else inside him did.”
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Use in Story: Demon possession, thriller climax
Bonus Tip: Create Your Own Scary Idiom Scenes
You can use these idioms:
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As chapter openers
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In dialogue or inner thoughts
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To name a story (e.g., “In Cold Blood,” “Skeleton in the Closet”)
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In blog posts about horror writing tips
Scary idioms bring emotions, images, and suspense into your horror writing. They make your content relatable, memorable, and even shocking — in a good way.
These English idioms are not just for English learners — they’re tools for writers, bloggers, YouTubers, and storytellers who want to give their content a spine-chilling touch.