肝きもを冷ひやす

expression, godan verb (-su)

be terrified; be scared to death; have one's blood run cold

Idiomatic expression describing a sudden, intense fear that makes one feel a chill, as if the liver (considered the seat of courage) is being cooled.

• あの事じ故この話はなしを聞きいて、肝きもを冷ひやした。

  I was terrified when I heard about that accident.

• 彼かれは肝きもを冷ひやす思おもいで、その場ばを逃にげ出だした。

  He fled the scene with his blood running cold.