chill sb to the bone / marrow

/tʃˈɪl ˌɛsbˈiː tə ðə bˈəʊn mˈaɹəʊ/

/tʃˈɪl ˌɛsbˈiː tə ðə bˈoʊn mˈæɹoʊ/

[phrase]

to chill sb to the bone / marrow

[PHRASE]

to make someone become extremely terrified

to [chill] {sb} to the (bone|marrow) definition and meaning

What is the origin of the idiom "chill someone to the bone" and when to use it?

The idiom "chill someone to the bone" is derived from the literal sensation of feeling coldness deep in one's bones, which is associated with a strong and penetrating cold. It is often employed when discussing chilling or unsettling experiences, such as encountering a terrifying situation, witnessing something deeply disturbing, or hearing a bone-chilling story.

Examples

1. That chilled me to the bone.

2. Never before had the boy experienced the frigid weather of northern Europe, and the Russian snows chilled him to the bone.

3. Something that would've chilled Carter to the bone, a creature that possibly caught up to him as he careened down the side of the cliff and landed at the bottom, likely wounded and exhausted.

4. It's cold enough to freeze your toes and chill you to the bone.

Nearby words