HomeServicesBlogDictionariesContactSpanish Course
Home › Dictionary › English › deer in the headlights
Back to search

deer in the headlights

Noun CEFR C2

Definitions

  1. A person in a mental state of high arousal caused by anxiety, fear, panic, surprise, confusion, or substance abuse.
    idiomatic
  2. A person with a stunned or glazed expression.
    idiomatic

Examples

“"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.”

CEFR level

C2
Mastery
This word is part of the CEFR C2 vocabulary — mastery level.
See all C2 English words →

See also

Deer Island deer ked Deer Lake Deer Lodge Deer Lodge County deer meat

Learn this word in context

See deer in the headlights used in real conversations inside our free language course.

Start Free Course

Know this word better than we do? Language is a living thing — help us keep it growing. Collaborate with Babel Free