Learn English Idioms and Vocabulary with Horror Movies!

Hello and welcome to another lesson from English with Janet! As we approach the end of October, Halloween is just around the corner. And what better way to celebrate this spooky season than with some eerie, spine-tingling vocabulary and idioms? Today, I’ll share a few of my favorite horror movies, and together, we’ll dive into the vocabulary that makes these films unforgettable.

So, grab some popcorn, dim the lights, and let’s dive into some spine-chilling English!

Part 1: The Conjuring – Vocabulary and Idioms to Set the Mood

The first movie we’ll explore is The Conjuring. For horror fans, this classic is packed with supernatural elements, eerie settings, and suspenseful moments that keep you on the edge of your seat! Here’s a closer look at some key vocabulary that will help you describe spine-chilling films like this.

Vocabulary for The Conjuring

1. Spine-Chilling
   Imagine that creepy feeling up your back when something is just too scary! Spine-chilling describes a moment so terrifying it feels like your spine gets cold. In a sentence:
   The haunted house had a spine-chilling atmosphere that I couldn’t shake.
2. Supernatural
   Supernatural elements are things that go beyond the natural world—like ghosts, spirits, or unexplainable phenomena. In The Conjuring, many scenes center on supernatural events that science just can’t explain.
   The movie features supernatural events that scare the characters and the audience alike.
3. Suspenseful
   When a scene leaves you filled with nervous excitement, it’s suspenseful. This feeling of tension keeps viewers glued to the screen.
   The Conjuring was so suspenseful I couldn’t look away.
4. Eerie
   Eerie means strange and frightening—like the silence before something terrifying happens.
   There was an eerie silence in the old house.
5. Gripping
   If something is gripping, it’s so fascinating or intense that you just can’t look away.
   The movie’s plot was so gripping I had to keep watching.

Idioms for The Conjuring

1. Send Shivers Down Your Spine
   When something sends shivers down your spine, it’s frightening to the core.
   The ghostly figure in the corner sent shivers down my spine.
2. Scare the Living Daylights Out of Someone
   To scare someone really badly!
   That jump scare scared the living daylights out of me!
3. On the Edge of Your Seat
   If a movie is so intense that you’re constantly waiting to see what happens, you’re on the edge of your seat.
   The suspense kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the movie.

Part 2: Sinister – Vocabulary and Idioms for a Disturbing Experience

The next movie, Sinister, takes horror to a new level with disturbing, unsettling imagery and an eerie atmosphere that lingers. Here are some useful words and phrases to describe this type of horror movie.

Vocabulary for Sinister

1. Disturbing
   Something that is upsetting and makes you feel uncomfortable or anxious.
   The movie had disturbing scenes that I couldn’t stop thinking about.
2. Unsettling
   Similar to disturbing, unsettling things make you feel on edge or uneasy.
   The unsettling music in the film added to its creepy atmosphere.

Idioms for Sinister

1. Get Under Your Skin
   When something gets under your skin, it bothers you deeply and stays with you.
   The creepy images in Sinister really got under my skin.
2. Make Your Blood Run Cold
   When something scares you so much it feels like your blood freezes.
   The strange noises in the movie made my blood run cold.

Part 3: The Babadook – Psychological Horror with Emotional Depth

Lastly, let’s discuss The Babadook. This movie doesn’t just rely on jump scares; it’s a psychological thriller that brings emotional fear to the surface.

Vocabulary for The Babadook

1. Psychological
   Psychological aspects focus on the mind and emotions rather than just visual horror.
   The Babadook is more of a psychological thriller than a typical horror movie.
2. Intense
   When something is intense, it’s very strong or extreme in emotion or atmosphere.
   The final scene was so intense that I could hardly breathe.
3. Haunting
   Haunting images are those that linger in your mind long after the movie ends.
   The haunting visuals kept me awake all night.

Bringing It All Together

Halloween is the perfect time to explore new words and idioms that capture the eerie and supernatural. These phrases are not only useful for describing horror movies, but they also help you express intense emotions and suspenseful situations in real life!

Here’s a quick recap:

• Vocabulary: spine-chilling, supernatural, suspenseful, eerie, gripping, disturbing, unsettling, psychological, intense, haunting.
• Idioms: send shivers down your spine, scare the living daylights out of someone, on the edge of your seat, get under your skin, make your blood run cold.

So if you’re a fan of horror movies, I highly recommend trying out these words and idioms the next time you describe your favorite spooky flick!

Thank you for joining me, and remember, for more lessons like this, subscribe to our free Newsletter to learn more vocabulary, idioms, and even more. Click the link to get started, and let’s keep learning together!

Happy Halloween, and I’ll see you in the next lesson. 🎃