Definition
This four-character idiom (成语) literally means 'heart startled, flesh jumping' — a vivid description of extreme fear or anxiety. You use it when someone is so terrified or nervous that they feel it physically, like their heart is racing and their body trembles. It's stronger than 害怕 (afraid) and often implies a sustained, gut-wrenching dread rather than a momentary scare.
f.e.
to tremble with fearto be deeply alarmed or terrified
Examples
- ，心惊肉跳，。Tīng dào nàgè kǒngbù de xiāoxi, tā gǎndào xīn jīng ròu tiào, zhěng yè méi shuì.Upon hearing that terrifying news, she felt her heart pound and her flesh creep, and she didn't sleep all night.
- ，心惊肉跳。Nàgè nánhái cóng xuányá biān diào xiàqù de yí shùnjiān, suǒyǒu de rén dōu xīn jīng ròu tiào.The moment that boy fell off the cliff edge, everyone was scared out of their wits.
- ，心惊肉跳，。Měi cì zuò guòshānchē, wǒ dōu huì juéde xīn jīng ròu tiào, dàn háishì xiǎng zài shì yí cì.Every time I ride a roller coaster, I feel terrified, but I still want to try it again.
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