The idiom "quake in one's boots" means to feel very scared or frightened. It is used to describe a situation where someone is so afraid that their legs shake or tremble as if they were wearing boots that are shaking.
For example, if someone is about to give a speech in front of a large audience and they are very nervous, you could say that they are "quaking in their boots." Similarly, if someone is confronted by a dangerous animal or situation, they might "quake in their boots" out of fear.
This idiom is often used in informal or conversational situations, and it is a way to describe extreme fear or anxiety in a vivid and memorable way. It can also be used humorously to describe situations where someone is overreacting to a relatively minor threat.
In short, "quake in one's boots" is a colorful way to describe feeling very scared or frightened, and it is a useful idiom to know if you want to express strong emotions in English.
• I quake in my boots every time I have to speak in front of a large group of people.
• The workers were quaking in their boots when they heard that the company was about to be acquired by a larger corporation.
• Despite her years of experience, the seasoned astronaut still quaked in her boots as she prepared to embark on her first mission to Mars.
• The politician quaked in his boots when he found out that his private emails had been hacked and would be released to the public.
• The thought of meeting my girlfriend's parents makes me quake in my boots.
• The hiker was quaking in his boots when he saw the dark clouds rolling in and realized he was lost in the wilderness.