deer in the headlights en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- (Australia) audio
Etymology
From the image of a deer caught in a car's headlights – wide-open eyes, lack of motor reactions, etc.
Meanings
- (idiomatic) A person in a mental state of high arousal caused by anxiety, fear, panic, surprise, confusion, or substance abuse.
-
(idiomatic) A person with a stunned or glazed expression.
"What! I thought you were finished with principal photography." He looked disoriented, the deer in the headlights. Hints of extra crew time always had that effect on him.
2000, Thomas Hoover, Life Blood, →ISBN:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| deer in headlights | alternative | lexicographic | |
| deer in the headlights | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
Deriveds
deer in the headlight syndrome