(shake/quake) in your (boots/shoes)
Meaning(s)
1. feel very nervous or afraid
Popularity
High
Professional
High
Social
How to Memorize
I'm really quaking in my boots!
Analysis
The expression ’to shake in your boots’ or ’to quake in your boots’ means to tremble with fear. This expression is similar in meaning to ’shake like a leaf’. This idiomatic phrase is often used sarcastically or humorously.
Social Examples (Basic)
- Person A: "I'd avoid Steven if I were you. He's pretty angry about what you did." Person B: "Ooh, I'm shaking in my boots!"
- Our reputation as a team has grown so much that the opposition almost quaked in their boots when we stepped onto the field in the final.
Professional Examples (Basic)
- The prospect of job cuts had staff quaking in their shoes, wondering who was going to be let go first.
- I've delivered speeches at many conferences over the years, so I'm hardly going to shake in my shoes about doing one this weekend.