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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

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