1.
to be terrified; to be scared stiff; to have a frightening experience
An idiomatic expression literally meaning "to chill one's liver." Describes the intense fear or shock felt during or after a dangerous or alarming situation.
車にぶつかりそうになって肝を冷やした。
I was terrified when I nearly got hit by a car.
子供が階段から落ちそうになって、肝を冷やした。
My heart nearly stopped when my child almost fell down the stairs.
締め切りの直前にパソコンが動かなくなって、肝を冷やした経験がある。
I've had the terrifying experience of my computer dying right before a deadline.
Literally "to chill one's liver (肝)." In traditional Japanese and Chinese medicine, the liver was considered the seat of courage and spirit, so chilling it means losing one's nerve from fright.
USAGE:
Most commonly used in the past tense (肝を冷やした) to describe a frightening experience that has already passed. Typically involves a moment of danger or a close call rather than prolonged fear.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 肝を冷やした: was terrified (past tense, most common)
- 肝を冷やす思いをする: to have a terrifying experience
- 肝を冷やす場面: a terrifying moment
RELATED EXPRESSIONS:
- 肝が据わる: to have nerves of steel (the liver is settled = one is fearless)
- 肝が太い: to be bold, gutsy
- 肝試し: a test of courage (e.g., visiting a haunted place)
SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:
- ひやっとする: to feel a chill (of fear) — a lighter, momentary scare
- 冷や汗をかく: to break out in a cold sweat — similar intensity but focuses on the physical reaction