心驚肉跳 xīn jīng ròu tiào

terrified; extremely scared and nervous

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. lit. heart alarmed, body leaping (idiom); fear and trepidation in the face of disaster

Characters

Character Meaning
心 xīn HSK 3
heart; mind; intention
驚 jīng
to be frightened; to be scared; to startle
肉 ròu HSK 2
meat; flesh; pulp (of a fruit)
跳 tiào HSK 2
to jump; to skip over; to bounce