In Cold Blood

Idiom: In cold blood

Context #1:

John: Did you hear about that serial killer who appeared in court today?

Sam: Yeah, I heard the judge sentenced him to life in prison with no parole.

John: That's right. He killed about 10 people in cold blood so I guess he deserved that.

Context #2:

Jenny: Last night on the news I saw that a lady was killed in New York while waiting for the bus.

Chrissy: Yeah, I guess some crazy guy just walked up to her and shot her in cold blood.

Meaning: In cold blood is an idiom that is used as an adverb. It is commonly used with verbs like kill, shoot, and murder. It means to kill someone in a cruel and unfeeling fashion. The person doing the killing does not feel any kind of sadness or remorse.      @LSISB @LSIOC @LSINE @LSILA

www.languagesystems.edu

To Scare The Pants Off Someone

Idiom: To Scare The Pants Off Someone

Context #1:

Tammy: Last night my neighbor jumped out from behind a bush wearing a zombie mask. He was only joking but it really scared the pants off me!

Sara: Did you scream?

Tammy: Yeah, I screamed! It was so embarrassing! 

Context #2:

Tim: This week for Halloween a bunch of us are going to visit a haunted house at the community college. Do you want to go?

Chris: No thanks! When I was a kid my parents took me to a haunted house and I got the pants scared off me. I guess I was a little traumatized.

Tim: I see. Well, let me know if you change your mind.

Meaning: To scare the pants off someone means to make them feel extremely afraid or frightened.      @LSISB @LSIOC @LSINE @LSILA

www.languagesystems.edu