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心惊胆战 (xīn jīng dǎn zhàn) — trembling with fear; extremely frightened; terrified

Definition

A vivid chengyu meaning 'trembling with fear, terrified' — stronger and more literary than everyday 害怕. Often used to describe a whole body's reaction to horror or danger.

idiom
trembling with fearextremely frightenedterrified

Examples

  • ，心惊胆战。
    Tīng dào nà ge xiāo xi, tā xià dé xīn jīng dǎn zhàn.
    When he heard that news, he was so scared he trembled with fear.
  • ，心惊胆战。
    Zǒu zài xuán yá biān shàng, wǒ xīn jīng dǎn zhàn dì bù gǎn wǎng xià kàn.
    Walking along the cliff edge, I was too terrified to look down.
  • 心惊胆战。
    Nà bù kǒng bù diàn yǐng ràng rén kàn dé xīn jīng dǎn zhàn.
    That horror movie made people watch it with trembling fear.

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