To suddenly feel intense fear, shock, or horror that causes a chilling physical sensation.
This phrase dates back to ancient times when people believed emotions physically affected bodily fluids. The concept that fear could literally cool one's blood appears in literature as early as the 14th century, reflecting the medieval understanding of the four humors and their relationship to temperature and emotion.
This phrase captures the genuine physiological response to extreme fear - when adrenaline floods the system, blood flow actually redirects away from extremities toward vital organs, creating that authentic cold sensation. It's remarkable how this ancient metaphor perfectly describes what modern science confirms happens in our circulatory system during fight-or-flight responses.
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