Halloween Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

Hello, lovely learners! 👻 Janet here from English with Janet, and today, we’re diving into something spooky and fun: Halloween idioms and phrasal verbs! 🕸️ Halloween may have come and gone, but why not keep the spirit alive a bit longer? Halloween-themed idioms and phrasal verbs are a fantastic way to expand your vocabulary, add personality to your English, and have a bit of seasonal fun!

Let’s get into some bone-chilling expressions that might send shivers down your spine, but don’t worry—they’re easy to understand and super fun to use.

1. “Scare the Living Daylights Out Of”

• Meaning: To really scare someone, usually by surprise.
• Example: The loud bang scared the living daylights out of me!

This idiom is all about fear, which fits perfectly with Halloween. If something scares the living daylights out of you, it means you were caught off guard and felt a strong jolt of fear. Imagine a friend sneaking up behind you and shouting “BOO!”—that’s the exact moment for this phrase! You might also use it in more serious contexts, like The horror movie I watched last night scared the living daylights out of me.

2. “Skeleton in the Closet”

• Meaning: A hidden secret or a part of one’s past they’d rather keep private.
• Example: Everyone has a skeleton in the closet, even if they pretend they don’t!

Ever wonder where people keep their deepest secrets? According to this idiom, it’s in the closet with a skeleton or two! 😉 It’s often used to suggest that everyone has something in their past they’d prefer to keep under wraps. Politicians often have skeletons in their closet that could hurt their reputation. It’s a little dark and perfect for the Halloween season.

3. “In Cold Blood”

• Meaning: To do something (often harmful) without feeling any emotion or remorse.
• Example: The crime was committed in cold blood.

This idiom can sound a little chilling because it refers to doing something without any pity, remorse, or hesitation. You’ll often hear it used to describe violent actions done with no empathy. Though a bit dramatic, it’s a common phrase in news or movies—The villain in the film acted in cold blood.

4. “A Ghost of a Chance”

• Meaning: A very small or unlikely possibility.
• Example: We don’t have a ghost of a chance of winning this game.

“A ghost of a chance” is used when something seems nearly impossible. Think of a ghost—barely there, right? Just a shadowy figure, a small presence. It’s the same idea here: when you have only a faint, slight chance of success, you have “a ghost of a chance.” This is a fun idiom to use, especially around Halloween!

5. “To Dig One’s Own Grave”

• Meaning: To cause trouble for oneself; to make a decision or take an action that will have negative consequences.
• Example: By lying to her boss, she was digging her own grave.

This idiom is dramatic but easy to visualize—if you make poor choices or decisions that could lead to failure, it’s like preparing your own “fall.” Think of it as self-sabotage. For example, if someone is constantly late to work, they’re “digging their own grave” by risking their job security.

6. “Ghost Town”

• Meaning: A place that is deserted and empty.
• Example: The mall was a ghost town after the store closures.

Imagine walking through a town where nobody lives, shops are abandoned, and streets are silent—that’s the essence of this idiom. It doesn’t have to be a real ghost town! If a place feels empty or deserted, like a quiet office on a holiday weekend, you can call it a ghost town. Perfect for a spooky vibe!

7. Phrasal Verb: “Spook Out”

• Meaning: To get scared or to scare someone.
• Example: That horror movie really spooked me out.

The phrasal verb “spook out” is a fun way to talk about getting frightened or causing someone else to feel scared. It’s informal and usually used in lighthearted contexts. If something makes you nervous or uneasy—like a creepy noise or an eerie setting—it’s okay to say, That place totally spooked me out!

8. Phrasal Verb: “Haunt Someone”

• Meaning: To cause someone to think constantly about something, often something negative or a past mistake.
• Example: The memory of the argument haunted her for days.

Just like ghosts haunt people in scary stories, certain memories or regrets can “haunt” us too. If something haunts you, it means you can’t stop thinking about it, especially if it’s something you regret. This phrasal verb is perfect for adding a spooky touch to everyday English.

9. “Witch Hunt”

• Meaning: To unfairly target or blame someone for something, often without real proof.
• Example: The media seemed to be on a witch hunt against the celebrity.

Historically, a “witch hunt” was a search for witches, but today it’s used metaphorically. When people or groups are unfairly targeted and accused, you can call it a witch hunt. For example, if a workplace seems to be blaming one person without evidence, it could feel like a modern “witch hunt.”

10. “A Night Owl”

• Meaning: Someone who stays up late and feels most active in the evening.
• Example: I’m a night owl; I get my best work done after midnight.

This idiom isn’t just for Halloween—it’s a great way to describe those of us who feel most alive when the sun sets. While it’s not spooky, the connection to nighttime makes it fitting for the Halloween theme. If you’re the type of person who loves to stay up late, you can proudly call yourself a “night owl.”

Making These Idioms and Phrasal Verbs Part of Your English

Halloween is such a fun time to get creative with English. Adding these idioms and phrasal verbs to your vocabulary will not only help you sound more like a native speaker, but it’ll also add some “spooky” flair to your language.

Try using them in conversation:

• “That old, empty house down the street is like a ghost town!”
• “You scared the living daylights out of me when you showed up unannounced!”
• “He has a skeleton in the closet that he doesn’t want anyone to know about.”

Whether you’re talking to friends or just practicing English on your own, these idioms can add a bit of mystery and fun to your words. They also remind us that language learning can be playful—don’t be afraid to experiment and have a bit of spooky fun!

So, which idioms or phrasal verbs from this list do you like the most? Do you know any similar expressions in your language? Share them with me in the comments below! I’d love to hear your thoughts and maybe learn some Halloween expressions from around the world!

Until next time, stay spooky and keep learning! 🎃

Happy Halloween (a little late)! 🎃👻 – Janet from English with Janet