die Hosen voll haben
to be scared stiff; to be terrified
Origin
Crudely figurative: the expression alludes to the fact that great fear affects the bowels and can literally cause them to empty. A similar phrasing is already found in the 16th century in Hans Sachs.
Building blocks
Words in this expression
Grammar that uses this word
- Verb 'sein' (to be), present: sie/Sie sind (they/you are)Verb 'sein' im Präsens: sie/Sie sind
- Definite article 'der' (the, masculine, nominative)Bestimmter Artikel 'der' (maskulin, Nominativ)
- Definite article 'die' (the, plural, nominative)Bestimmter Artikel 'die' (Plural, Nominativ)
- Simple past of 'sein': sie/Sie waren (they/you were)Präteritum von 'sein': sie/Sie waren
Examples
Vor der hatte er die Hosen .
Before the exam he was absolutely scared stiff.