Etymology Journal ยท Y
You look like you've seen a ghost
Meaning
- Said to someone who has suddenly turned very pale or appears visibly shocked. It implies the person has had a massive fright.
Concerned, observant
Used in a sentence
- Sit down and drink some water because you look like you have seen a ghost.
- Did you get some bad news at the office? You look like you have seen a ghost.
- He walked through the door looking like he had seen a ghost.
The backstory
This saying stems from the ancient cultural fear of spirits and the physiological reaction to extreme terror. It has been a standard figure of speech in English literature for centuries.
Heard in
Nationwide
Vibe check