Be afraid, be very afraid

Definitions

• express fear or anxiety
  To convey a sense of extreme fear or apprehension, often in a humorous or exaggerated manner

• warn or caution
  To caution someone to be cautious or careful about a particular situation or person, often in a joking or sarcastic way

Examples of Be afraid, be very afraid

• The vision of the haunted house with creaky doors and flickering lights left her paralyzed with fear, be afraid, be very afraid. She still could see the ghostly figures moving around inside as if they were alive.

  The phrase "be afraid, be very afraid" is an idiom that expresses a strong feeling of fear. It originated from a horror movie titled "The Fly", in which the main character says these words to warn others of the chaos and danger that awaits them. In this example, it is used to highlight the intensity of the protagonist's fright, leaving her feelings of unease and paralysis as if she's watching a real-life horror scene.

• Trying to grasp the complexities of the stock market, with its rapidly fluctuating values, could be as daunting as staring into the abyss; be afraid, be very afraid. With a single wrong decision, you could lose everything you’ve invested.

  Here, the phrase "be afraid, be very afraid" is utilized to convey the danger and risks involved in something that can have severe consequences, highlighting the gravity of a situation. Stemming from a famous horror movie, it generates an image of watching into a dark chasm with things lurking beneath the surface that could harm us.

• Watching the movie "Alien" with its terrifying scenes of a xenomorph creature stalking the crew of the spaceship left audiences quivering with fear, be afraid, be very afraid. Even the simple sound of a hissing noise makes your heart skip a beat.

  The phrase "be afraid, be very afraid" is often used to describe the level of terror and fear induced by media or situations, drawing from the horror movie, "Alien," to illustrate the magnitude of the horror that grips viewers in a tight grasp, leaving them parched with fear.

• Trying to understand the complexities of advanced mathematics, with its intricate formulas and challenging concepts, can send shivers down your spine, be afraid, be very afraid. It can leave you feeling as if you're wandering in a maze, never to find your way out.

  Here, the phrase "be afraid, be very afraid" connotes the complexity and perplexity of something, highlighting the level of trepidation it can generate. It describes the fear associated with being lost in unfamiliar territory, akin to getting trapped in a labyrinth with no clear way out.

Conclusion

The idiom "be afraid, be very afraid" is commonly used to express fear or anxiety in a dramatic or exaggerated way. It can also be used as a warning or caution to someone, often in a humorous or sarcastic manner.

Origin of "Be afraid, be very afraid"

The origin of this idiom is believed to come from the 1986 sci-fi horror film "The Fly" directed by David Cronenberg. In the film, one of the main characters, played by Jeff Goldblum, undergoes a transformation into a human-fly hybrid. In one scene, he warns his love interest to "be afraid, be very afraid" as he begins to fully transform.

Since then, the phrase has become a popular catchphrase and has been used in various forms of media, including movies, TV shows, and music. It is often used in a comedic or satirical way to add emphasis to a situation or to mock someone's fears.

Overall, the idiom "be afraid, be very afraid" has evolved from its original usage in the film to become a common phrase used to express fear or caution in a humorous or exaggerated manner.