shake / tremble like a leaf

/ʃˈeɪk tɹˈɛmbəl lˈaɪk ɐ lˈiːf/

[phrase]

to shake / tremble like a leaf

[PHRASE]

(of a person) to involuntarily shake one's body due to feeling nervous, afraid, or cold

to [shake|tremble] like a leaf definition and meaning

What is the origin of the idiom "shake like a leaf" and when to use it?

The idiom "shake like a leaf" is believed to have originated from the observation of leaves trembling or shaking in response to wind or external stimuli. It is commonly used in various contexts to describe a person's physical response to fear, nervousness, or extreme anxiety. This expression can be used in both formal and informal settings, such as public speaking engagements, job interviews, confronting phobias, experiencing a traumatic event, or being in a state of heightened anticipation.

Examples

1. She waited to come on stage, trembling like a leaf.

2. Afterwards I was shaking like a leaf.

3. Like, he was shaking like a leaf.

4. - I'm trying so hard to align this that my hand's shaking like a leaf.

Nearby words