Is scared-to-death formal or informal?

It is informal. Use it in conversation, stories, or casual writing, not formal reports.

How is scared-to-death different from terrified?

Both mean very afraid. Scared-to-death sounds more emotional and more casual.

Can I say scared-to-death in IELTS writing?

You can understand it, but it is usually too informal for IELTS academic writing.

← Dictionary

scared-to-death

/ˌskeəd tə ˈdeθ/

IELTSAcademic

adjective

Very frightened or extremely worried. It is informal and often used for strong emphasis.

I was scared-to-death during the storm.
She sounded scared-to-death on the phone.
He is scared-to-death of flying.

Adinary Nuance

Use scared-to-death for very strong fear, not just mild nervousness. It is stronger and more emotional than scared, and more informal than terrified. Writers often choose it in speech, stories, or dramatic descriptions. It sounds vivid, so it can feel too casual for formal academic writing.

In other languages

Vietnamese: sợ chết khiếp
Spanish: muerto de miedo
Chinese: 吓得要命
Japanese: 死ぬほど怖い
Korean: 무서워 죽겠다

Etymology

This phrase became common in American English in the 20th century. It uses the idea of fear being so strong it could cause death, which is only an exaggeration.

Common phrases

scared-to-death oflook scared-to-deathsound scared-to-death

Synonyms

terrified frightened panicked

Related words

scared afraid anxious worried

Frequently asked questions

Is scared-to-death formal or informal?: It is informal. Use it in conversation, stories, or casual writing, not formal reports.
How is scared-to-death different from terrified?: Both mean very afraid. Scared-to-death sounds more emotional and more casual.
Can I say scared-to-death in IELTS writing?: You can understand it, but it is usually too informal for IELTS academic writing.