jump out of your skin
/ˌdʒʌmp aʊt əv jə ˈskɪn/INFORMAL · C1
Meaning
to be extremely startled by something sudden
Examples
- 1I nearly jumped out of my skin when the smoke alarm went off.
- 2The cat almost jumped out of its skin at the fireworks.
- 3She jumped out of her skin when the door slammed behind her.
- 4Don't creep up on me like that — I nearly jump out of my skin every time.
- 5He jumps out of his skin at the slightest noise in the old house.
Grammar
Normally used with nearly or almost. Only the verb changes (jumps, jumped), and the possessive matches the subject.
Similar in meaning
More idioms about emotions
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English Idioms400 idioms in 20 topics — with reviews that keep them from fading
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