put the fear of God into

1. Terrify someone, as in The school counselor put the fear of God into the girls when she talked about AIDS. This phrase alludes to a time when most people had a mingled feeling of dread and reverence toward the deity. [Late 1800s]

Example Sentences

"It put the fear of God into me," Moore said, laughing.

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If that’s not enough to put the fear of God into a parent, I don’t know what is.

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"It put the fear of God into me, but after reading about FIV I learned it needn't be a death sentence and that cats who have it can lead fairly normal lives if cared for properly," she said.

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Reddick, whose voice was well-trained, resonant and easy on the ear, didn’t have to get loud to put the fear of God into a character or viewer; you could sense well enough the roiling currents beneath a placid surface.

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She should have put the fear of God into the Greens—or, at least, the fear of the Department of Justice.

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