惊心悼胆惊心碎胆jīng xīn dào dǎnbe scared stiff; be seized by panic; have one’s heart in one’s boots (/mouth); be scared out of one’s wits;terror-stricken
❍ 匪首们对小分队的神出鬼没，真有些惊心碎胆，又恨又怕，但又无可奈何。(曲波《林海雪原》481)The swift arrival and disappearance of the PLA unit both startled and frightened the bandit leaders. They were angry and fearful,but there was nothing they could do about it.
❍ 我军渡江的消息使敌人～。The news that our army had crossed the river struck terror into the hearts of the enemy. 惊心悼胆jīnɡ xīn dào dǎn悼：恐惧。形容恐惧到了极点。be frightened out of one’s wit’s, be scared stiff, extremely frightened |