Don’t be afraid to explore this collection of Halloween idioms, where the English language takes a dark turn. The spine-chilling world of frightful expressions and eerie phrases perfectly captures the spirit of the season and much more!
If the thought of understanding idioms sends shivers down your spine, don’t worry, as we have included definitions and example sentences for each one.
So let’s get started and add a spooky touch to your everyday conversations as we explore the hair-raising realm of scary idioms!
Halloween idioms
Skeleton in the/your closet
Our list of Halloween idioms starts with a skeleton in the closet (or your closet). This phrase refers to a hidden secret or embarrassing truth that someone wishes to keep hidden.
“Oh, you think he’s so innocent? Well, let me tell you, he has a few skeletons in his closet.”
Just like a spooky skeleton tucked away in a closet, this expression signifies a secret or a dark aspect of someone’s past or personality. Not all clothes idioms have quite such a dark meaning, though.
Jack-o’-lantern
A Jack-o’-lantern is an iconic symbol of Halloween, believed to ward off evil spirits and light the way for lost souls. It is a hollowed-out pumpkin with a carved face, typically illuminated by a candle inside.
“We spent the evening carving scary faces on pumpkins, creating our very own Jack-o’-lanterns for the back garden.”
Pumpkin head
Pumpkins and Halloween idioms go hand-in-hand, mainly due to the tradition of carving Jack’o’lanterns. But to call someone a pumpkin head or describe them as pumpkin-headed is to say they lack intelligence or common sense.
“You forgot your keys again? Sometimes I wonder if you’re pumpkin-headed.”
“Stop being such a pumpkin head!”
This Halloween idiom can also be written as one word: pumpkinhead.
In the dead of night
When something is said to have happened in the dead of night, it’s an event or action that occurred during the darkest and quietest part of the night; a time when it’s most silent and eerie and nobody else is around.
“She heard strange noises in the dead of night.”
There are many other idioms about night that might be helpful when telling scary stories at Halloween.
Witching hour
There is a time of night, usually midnight, when supernatural events are believed to occur. We call this the witching hour. It’s associated with mysterious happenings, magic, and witchcraft, often mentioned in folklore and tales.
“Be careful when you wander outside during the witching hour on Halloween. Who knows what you might encounter in the darkness!”
You may also hear parents use this phrase to describe a period of the day, usually right before bedtime, when their babies or children are particularly fussy or difficult to manage.
Ghost town
A ghost town is the perfect setting for Halloween idioms! It’s a place that is deserted or lacking activity and people, similar to the abandoned towns often portrayed in horror movies.
“Ever since the factory closed down, this neighborhood has become a ghost town.”
Bats in the belfry
Bats lend themselves well to scary idioms because of their association vampires. However, when we say that someone has bats in the belfry, it means they are eccentric or unusual.
“Don’t mind Aunt Margaret; she’s got bats in the belfry!”
Need more animal idioms? No problem!
Graveyard shift
People who work late at night, typically during the hours when most people sleep, work the graveyard shift. Just as graveyard workers tend to their duties during the night, this idiom signifies working during unconventional hours.
“I’m exhausted from pulling the graveyard shift at the hospital.”
Trick or treat
This famous one-liner is used by children to request candy on Halloween night. It encapsulates the tradition of children going door-to-door, offering a playful threat of mischief if they don’t receive treats.
“Trick or treat! Give us a treat or prepare for some spooky tricks!”
Trick or treat is said every October 31st, but where does the tradition come from?
Web of lies/deceit
How do you feel about spiders? A lot of people have a real fear of them, which is why they are on our list of scary idioms!
We are not just talking about a literal web spun by spiders here, though. Used as a lying idiom, a web of lies or deceit is a complex and intricate tangle of misdirection and falsehoods.
“Be cautious of his web of lies.”
“I’m not sure about this business deal. It seems like a web of deceit if you ask me.”
It’s easy for people to become trapped in this kind of situation, including the person who began the lies in the first place.
Scary idioms
Full moon
People often associate mystical events, supernatural occurrences, and strange behavior with a full moon.
The phase of the lunar cycle where the moon is fully visible has long been linked to werewolves and other mythical creatures in folklore, adding an element of mystery and danger.
“All the customers have been a nightmare tonight! I guess it’s to be expected on a full moon.”
Cauldron of ideas
Some of these scary idioms are connected to witches, like a cauldron of ideas. A cauldron is what a witch uses to make spells and mix potions. You can use this as a business idiom to refer to a gathering of diverse and creative thoughts or concepts.
“Our brainstorming session was a cauldron of ideas.”
A black cat crossing your path
Black cats have always been considered a superstitious sign of bad luck. In folklore, black cats are often associated with witches and bad omens, so the idea of a black cat crossing your path suggests an impending streak of misfortune.
“Oh no! A black cat crossed my path just before the interview so I’m feeling extra nervous now!”
Haunted by the/your past
Normally it’s ghosts that haunt people, but sometimes you can be haunted by your past. This is when you are constantly tormented or troubled by past events. It could be a memory or a consequence of past actions that continues to worry, bother, or affect you.
“He can’t move on; he’s haunted by the past of his recent break up.”
Find some more idioms about the past here.
Candy-coated
For most children, candy (or sweets in British English) is the main attraction on Halloween as they go door-to-door collecting treats.
When we describe something as candy-coated, it draws a parallel between the sugary coating of candies and the deceptive nature of something that may seem harmless but isn’t.
“Don’t be fooled by his candy-coated words. He may seem sweet, but there’s something sinister lurking beneath that smile.”
We use this expression to describe something that appears pleasant or attractive on the surface but may have negative or unpleasant aspects within.
Scaredy-cat
A scaredy-cat is someone who is easily frightened, timid, or lacks courage.
“Come on, don’t be a scaredy-cat. Let’s go on the biggest rollercoster together.”
You may have noticed there are a few cat-related idioms on this list, and we have a separate article that lists even more!
Jump out of your skin
Although these scary idioms may not have you jumping out of your skin, an unexpected event may do so (figuratively speaking, of course!)
It simply means you were extremely startled or surprised. You had such an intense reaction you felt as if your body was physically leaping out of your skin.
“The sudden loud crash made me jump out of my skin!”
Make your hair stand on end
Something that gives you a fright might make your hair stand on end literally, but you can use this scary expression figuratively, too.
“The scream I heard made my hair stand on end.”
Another hair idiom you can use to describe something scary is hair-raising.
Heart-stopping moment
Here’s another scared idiom that exaggerates how you felt after an intense or terrifying experience. This time you were so shocked that you had a heart-stopping moment which actually can, ironically, cause your heart to race.
“When the masked figure jumped out from behind the door, it was a heart-stopping moment.”
Find some more idioms with heart here, for more expressive ways to describe your feelings.
Send shivers down your spine
When something sends shivers down your spine (your backbone) you get a strong feeling of fear or unease. You might even literally feel a sensation of chills running along your spine due to a particularly creepy or alarming experience.
“The eerie sound of footsteps upstairs sent shivers down my spine.”
We hope you enjoyed delving into the creepy realm of Halloween idioms, whether you’re planning a ghostly gathering, crafting a ghoulish tale, or simply embracing the Halloween spirit.
Did we miss any bone-chilling idioms that you love? Feel free to leave a comment below and share your favorite scary Halloween sayings. Happy haunting, and may your Halloween be filled with frightful fun!
