frighten the living daylights out of someone Definition

daylight
noun

1. The light given by the Sun; natural light as opposed to electric light, etc.
2. The time in the morning when light first appears in the sky; dawn.

Idiom: beat the living daylights out of someone (knock the living daylights out of someone)

colloq
To beat them severely.

Idiom: in broad daylight

During the day.

Openly, with no attempt to hide one's actions.

Idiom: scare the living daylights out of someone (frighten the living daylights out of someone)

colloq
To frighten them greatly.

Idiom: see daylight

To begin to understand.

To realize that one has nearly completed a difficult or long task.

Etymology: 13c.